August 18, 1987/28 BBY
Earth, Sol System
Washington D.C., United States of America
White House
0800 Hours
Despite what the crew of the Sriko thought, the past few hours had been just short of absolute chaos for the governments of Earth.
When the transmission was first heard, most believed it to be a practical joke. However, once the signal was traced back to an unknown craft hovering over the Atlantic Ocean, it was just realized how serious the situation was. The United States immediately went to DEFCON 2 and requested its allies do the same. Communication with the Soviet Union, China and their own respective allies was also immediately established to ensure that they were both informed of the situation and to make sure they did not believe that they were about to be attacked by the West.
"Have we received any further messages from this ship?" "No, Mr. President. It has only continued to broadcast its request to meet with governmental officials on repeat for the last two hours".
Ronald Reagan furrowed his eyes. "What naval forces are in the area?" A naval force would be both the most at risk and the most valuable unit to deal with the vessel, short of a nuclear weapon, should it turn out to have hostile intent, given its location in the dead center of the Atlantic.
"The Eisenhower Battle Group is currently undergoing its work up for their deployment to the Mediterranean and can be rerouted to the ships location".
"Do it, but order them to not fire unless fired upon, and once they make contact, they are to keep us informed on the situation as it develops," Reagan ordered.
Atlantic Ocean
Eisenhower Carrier Battlegroup
Bridge of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
1600 Hours
Almost eight hours after the transmission had begun and five after the presidential meeting, the fleet of ships was just short of two-hundred miles away from the source of the transmission.
Consisting of three cruisers, five destroyers, four frigates, and headed by one of the newest carriers of the United States Navy, it was a potent force.
By Earth's standards that was.
"Has the contact made any moves since our approach?" Captain Gary Beck asked his radar operator.
"Negative sir, it's simply continued to play its message over and over".
Beck then decided to take some time to consider the ramifications of several possible actions before coming to a decision.
He made it less than thirty seconds later.
"Sound general quarters and launch the reserve aircraft to join the CAP."
As was the normal of efficiency aboard warships, the alarm began to wail and sailors across the fleet ran to their battle stations. Within less than three minutes, everyone was at their stations and aircraft had begun to be taxied across the Eisenhower's flight deck. Being of a variety of four F-14 Tomcats and eight F/A-18 Hornets, they would join the pair of Tomcats and E-2 Hawkeye AEW aircraft already airborne. Within thirty minutes, the entire strike package was up an enroute to the object.
Whilst this was happening, Beck once again listened meticulously to the recording that had been playing on repeat for almost eight hours now.
"This is RNS Sriko of the extra-solar entity known as the Galactic Republic. To any governmental agency who receives this transmission, we wish to establish contact with your people and promote peace and cooperation amongst ourselves. We are transmitting from a location off the eastern coast of your continent. Trace this transmission and you will come upon our vessel. I repeat, we do not seek conflict, but only peace and understanding."
What could it truly mean? Were they here for what they said or were they here to conquer? Those who sought either option often sounded extremely similar at first glance.
"What is the strike force's current status?" he asked his Ops Officer. Said officer quickly checked with his pilots.
"They have reached their holding pattern at 200 miles off the crafts position sir."
Beck began to consider his options once more and once again decided quickly. "Attempt to open a line of communication with the craft. Make sure to send it in the clear so they can receive it", and make sure our boys know to keep their heads up and ready for anything".
"Yes sir!"
"Sir!" His Comms Officer began, "I believe I have a signal!"
"You 'believe' you have a signal?"
"Yes sir. It's extremely weak, but it's there," the officer replied.
Beck took a breath, knowing that what he was about to do could change history for the better…... or worse.
"Prepare to send a message out in the clear," he ordered. The sailor quickly did as he asked. "You're ready, sir", he said.
"RNS Sriko, this is Captain Beck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower representing the United States of America and the United Nations of Earth. May I be the first to welcome you to our world and hope for peaceful cooperation between our peoples," he stated in as clear and precise a voice that he could possibly manage. Within ten seconds, a reply from a clearly female voice was heard.
"Copy that Eisenhower, may I request a time and location for diplomatic officials to meet?" she asked.
Beck considered the request for a moment. Uncle Sam ordered him to keep them informed as to developments, and he wouldn't want to risk making a decision that would lead to diplomatic issues later down the line.
"Please give us a moment," he requested.
"Understood."
Beck then made his way over to the Comms Officer once more.
"Get me a connection to the White House."
"Yes sir" he said, quickly setting to his task.
Barely thirty seconds later the officer grabbed his attention. "The President is on the line for you sir."
Beck quickly put on the headset required for communication. "Mr. President," he said.
"Captain, what do you have for me?"
"We have established contact with the vessel, and they are willing send diplomates to a designated location for further negotiations sir."
"Have them land at JFK International Airport at 0900 hours in two days' time. This will allow us to gather representatives for an assembly at the United Nations", Reagan said. "Tell them that they will be under fighter escort, that they will be monitored upon their approach, and that we request to be notified upon any further issues regarding additional ships or landing procedures" he continued.
"Affirmative sir, anything else?"
"No Captain, just get them to follow the instructions and get down here. If this goes sideways. . . it will do so on the ground".
"Copy that sir".
"Carry on Captain Beck," the President finished. He then disconnected the call.
He then asked his Comms Officer. "Are we still connected to the Republic vessel?"
"Affirmative sir, they're still on the line", he reported. He quickly put on the appropriate headset.
"RNS Sriko, you may proceed to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, located at bearing 023 at a range of 983 miles from your position. We will send a fighter escort at 0900 hours in two days' time. Please update us on any additional vessels that may need to land. Be warned that any deviation from the designated course will be considered as hostile intent.", Beck ordered the vessel.
"Affirmative Eisenhower, course will be followed to the letter and notifications will be sent. May we meet with clear skies and calm minds", they replied. Beck then motioned to the officer to cut the transmission.
Beck then thought to himself.
"Out of the frying pan, into the fire".
The fate of their planet now rested in the hands of the representatives of the United Nations.
Everyone's worst nightmare.
Politicians.
"May God help us all".
August 20, 1987/28 BBY
JFK International Airport
RNS Sriko
0700 Hours
"Onto the breech," Scruk whispers to herself.
With communication established and a time and place set for a meeting, everything was looking up for the first contact team. Representative, and if things turned out well ambassador, Petra Beyorle of Chandrila was chosen to represent the Republic during negotiations with 'the United Nations of Earth'.
As Scruk prepared the ship for her descent into the atmosphere, said representative walked into the room.
"Captain Scruk, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance," she said whilst holding out her hand.
"Representative Beyrole, likewise," she responded.
Beyrole then walked over to the viewport of the bridge, looking at the world below.
"You are the only one who has had direct contact with the civilization I am tasked with introducing to the Galactic Stage. As brief as the conversation between the Sriko and Eisenhower was, any sort of information you can give on how they seem to hold themselves will go a great length into giving me an advantage during the upcoming negotiations."
"If I were to say anything based on our as you said, 'limited conversation' ma'am, I would simply say not to underestimate them because of their technological level," Scruk replies. "The captain I spoke to was crisp and professional, and seemed to be friendly enough. Whether or not that was a deception remains to be seen. That is all I can offer you ambassador."
"Then we will treat them will due respect as we would anyone else, and hope that they are receptive to us welcoming them amongst the stars", Beyrole said.
Barely an hour later and they were given the green light to begin their descent to the surface. As previously stated by the local government, the Sriko was soon joined by a pair of fighters. F-15 Eagles according to information gathered whilst waiting for the diplomatic envoy to arrive.
"RNS Sriko, this is Eagle 1. Please set course for the John F. Kennedy Airport, be advised that any uninformed deviation from the provided course will be considered as hostile intent," the pilot radioed.
"Understood Eagle 1, course set. You will be notified of any attempted course change," Eviel replied.
As the Sriko approached the coast, a massive city came into view. Stretching for miles upon miles, it certainly gave the impression that the planets inhabitants weren't as primitive as some amongst the crew may have been led to believe.
Given directions to land at this 'John F. Kennedy Airport', they were soon vectored onto a massive strip of land with lines crisscrossing it.
They soon began to slow their approach and hovered over the left side of the field, where a crowd of armed individuals and vehicles awaited them. The Sriko than lowered its landing gear and touched down, with the pressurized gases being released upon making contact with the pavement.
"Time to meet the locals," Beyrole said.
She and Scruk then made their way to the ship's exit ramp near the bow, where a pair of guards awaited them. Quickly straightening any imperfections on their uniforms, they waited in silence for the ramp to lower itself.
After what seemed like an eternity, the pressure holding it in place began to release itself and the ramp was finally lowered.
Awaiting them was a pair of men dressed in suits, flanked by men wearing blue helmets with the symbols 'UN' on them. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I be the first to welcome you in person to planet Earth. I am Vernon Walters, representative of the United States for Earth's United Nations. May I also introduce my compatriot Alexander Belonogov, representative for the Soviet Union," the now identified individual said. "As my friend said, welcome to our world. I hope this meeting will go well," Belonogov finished.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, representatives. I am ambassador Petra Beyorle of the Galactic Republic, and this is Captain Riley Scruk. He is the man in charge of the Sirko," Petra replied.
"Representatives," Scruk said giving a slight nod of respect.
"If I may request you and your men to get in these vehicles for the trip the United Nations building," Walters said whilst gesturing to pair of black vehicles behind him.
"Of course, representative," Petra said.
They then made their way over to the vehicles and got in, beginning their journey to the building. Whilst on the route there, Scruk took the time to scan their surroundings. He noted the fact that the buildings that surrounded them looked like the buildings you would find on Coruscant, albeit on a lesser scale. Armed guards and vehicles lined their route, with civilians visible in the distance.
After nearly thirty minutes in transit, Scruk and Petra finally began to see the building in the distance and strained to get a look. Belonogov quickly took notice.
"This building was built with designed assistance from ten different nations. The concept design for it began just over forty years ago, and it was completed three years later. It has since been a symbol of our planet's unity, and that despite our differences, could move past them for a more prosperous future," he said as they began to pull into the road in front of the building.
Walters got out first, followed by Belonogov, and finally Scruk, Petra and their guards.
"The other representatives are waiting inside. You'll be told once they are ready to begin negotiations," Walter said.
He and Bolongov then gave a respectful nod. "I hope that we leave this on good terms". They then entered the building and made their way to the General Assembly.
A short few minutes later, a signal was given to the UN guards stationed outside with Scruk and Petra.
"The Assembly will see you now ma'ams," one said.
"Thank you soldier," Scruk replied.
They then made their inside. Upon reaching the door leading to the General Assembly, they were stopped by the guards outside the door.
"Ambassador, Captain. Will have to request that your guards remain outside the room, as none are allowed inside," the one on the right said.
"We understand guardsman," Petra said. She then turned to the two security personnel that had accompanied them. "Remain here, and assist these men in any way possible," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am," they replied.
She and Scruk than made their way inside the room. The doors then opened to reveal a massive chamber lined with seats, with a platform standing at the far end.
All the seats were full. As far as the eye could see there were apparently representatives from all the different nations across this planet. It also seemed that the moment they entered the room, all attention was fixated on them.
"May I now invite the Ambassador of the Galactic Republic, Petra Beyrole, and the Captain of the Republic vessel Sriko, Reily Scruk to deliver their statements and begin the discussion of United Nations relations with the Galactic Republic," a man said from the far end of the room.
Both of them made their way to the end of the room, passing by the numerous individuals lined to either of their sides. Most of their eyes never left them as they approached the platform at the far end.
Beyrole took the stand, and quietly took a breath.
"Representatives of the United Nations of Earth. As previously stated, I am ambassador Petra Beyrole of the Galactic Republic…"
September 28, 1987/28 BBY
Washington D.C., United States of America
White House
1100 Hours
President Reagan sat at the desk in the Oval Office. He was currently reading the finishing touches of the economic treaty signed by the United Nations and the Republic the previous week.
It had taken over a month of constant negotiation, but at long last it had been passed and signed. The Treaty of New York as it was known, stated that the Republic would respect the sovereignty of the many nations of Earth, the UN would be the planets face within the wider galaxy as to simplify relations.
When it came to trade however, is where things got more complicated. Those within the Republic, when wishing to sign trade agreements on Earth with entire nations, whether dealing with technology, information, or the acquisition of raw resources, would have to first go through the United Nations for inspection of the agreement for ways that it may adversely harm the planet in terms of its biosphere. Military technology however was an exception to this rule as the still ongoing Cold War prevented that specific agreement from being, well, agreed upon.
As for dealing with the previous three things, whom ever wished to make an agreement would then have make the agreement with each separate nation they wished to include in the agreement, as to respect each nations respective sovereignty. If they wished to do the same with other nations outside the deal as it was presented to the UN, they would have to repeat the process again.
However, a clause in the treaty made it so that an alliance of nations could choose to be represented as a single organization by the Republic when it came to these and other such issues. For instance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the Warsaw Pact.
Or perhaps... something much grander than both...
It was then that an aid walked into the room.
"Mr. President, I have the files you wished to see" he stated.
"Thank you," Reagan replied.
The aid nodded and then left the room once again.
Reagan looked at the folders he had requested. This was an idea that had been floating around various different country ever since the Republic had made itself known. However, now that the treaty was finalized, they could finally begin to take a closer look at the concept.
That concept was of an organization that would handle all relations with the wider galaxy as to not let a single nation control Earth's destiny amongst the stars. The United Nations would remain to manage issues between the various nations of Earth, but this organization would answer only to a special council made up of various representatives of different nations. Amongst those would be the UN Security Council, and however many other nations decided to join this 'alliance', upon its official inception. The finer details would still have to be sorted out, however it looked to be a promising start.
Reagan pulled out a folder in the center of the pile. It bore a set of simple, but possibly galaxy changing letters.
'THE SOL DEFENSE INITIATIVE'