Chapter 26:

Draco spoke to me, "I didn't want to say this in front of the others, Father.

I do not agree with your quote of Mr. Adams. I came across another quote that I believe has more wisdom.

Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times

I want the future Malfoy line of heirs to be strong men who study war and politics. Other members of the family can study other arts.

Looking at the scenes of myself in the original timeline, I was a weak man who took for granted good times.

Probably the greatest favor done for me, was you and Khan agreeing that the next generation of leadership would be earned, not just inherited."

Khan and I watched the movie, "The Wrath of Khan".

Khan said, "Yes, I can see that I can go to excess in a desire for revenge. I am grateful that I have you to keep me on an even keel, so to speak."

I answered, "Of course. My first observation about this is not about your actions, but that Starfleet kept their shields down and were subject to having a ship easily disabled by a captured ship that pretended to have its communications down. We will remedy that, or make sure our descendants know to remedy that.

As for my opinion of your own role, rest assured that there are movies in the Harry Potter series that show me in an unfavorable light as well."

Khan said, "I can also see that I should listen more when Joaquin gives his opinions."

I added, "If we go to the trouble of surrounding ourselves with good advisors, we should listen carefully to them when they disagree with us."

We then watched the Strange New Worlds episode, "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"

I said, "This was a different Star Trek timeline, not our timeline, of course. Nevertheless that human appearing alien, Pelia, a Lanthanite, is likely to be in the US State of Vermont, at this time or shortly later. Another episode shows Guinan in California, but later than this time, but since she was also in California, although a different part, in the 19th century, she might be there now. A Vulcan might have been on Earth since 1957, but whereabouts unknown."

Khan said, "You think that proving alien existence on Earth will help our cause?"

I answered, "It could help, but is not critical."

Khan said, "I do wonder if La'an is still my descendant, since she comes from a time-travel influenced timeline, but I suppose that Star Trek canon reasserts itself, so probably yes.

My upbringing was far different than the me of that episode. Also, by that age I had some control over my magic, while that version of me did not show magic, and the scene in that episode would be a time to use what magic I had.

Another aspect of that episode is that my descendant serves under a descendant of Pike. However, Christopher Pike does seem to be a worthy leader."

I reflected and said, "On further thought, no displaying of aliens that appear exactly like humans. It does not make an easily provable case. Whatever evidence might be shown would appear too easily faked."

The economic pressure on MACUSA and the US to join the Technology Alliance started showing effects. Much of the world had signed a treaty called GATT that brought forth the World Trade Organization, which limited tariffs, mostly taking effect in 1995. The advantages of magic in those economies started to show some serious advantages over the US manufacturing by 1997, even with MACUSA helping US industry, and GATT helped them export to the US, seriously unbalancing the balance of trade. China was not yet part of GATT in 1997, but many other countries helped by the Technology Alliance were.

In the magical economy, the Technology Alliance recruited the best enchanters from the US, Canada, and Mexico, paying them far more than their own economies would. The North American block found production in both the non-magical and magical economies flocking towards the Technology Alliance.

At the same time, Khan made regular speeches in both magical and non-magical media. Each set of messages were tailored for their audiences, with the non-magical ones emphasizing working together to bring technology to all of the planet Earth, with no mention of magic. The speeches to the magical world emphasized service to others and being recognized properly for that service.

Khan and I met with Lewis Hawkins the head of MACUSA's non-magical relations division, and Peter Quahog head of the techno-magic division. We knew that these were the ambitious ones that would decide what MACUSA does, not the formal leadership of MACUSA. We also invited the top MACUSA leadership and the non-magical US President Bill Clinton.

I pledged I had knowledge of extra-terrestrial space civilizations that were watching Earth. The MACUSA members acknowledged that my pledge was valid, but were annoyed that I didn't provide proof or more information.

Khan said, "There is a universe out there waiting for us.

Whether Earth eventually appears there as a first among equals, or the equivalent to a first year magic student, or as a colony or victim of space empires is partially a result of our actions today.

Squabbling nations will not get us to what humanity's role should be. We need wand and machine working together to prevail. We need wand and machine working together to lift humanity from war and poverty.

It is time to combine our efforts. First to guide humanity past the inevitable discovery of magic by non-magicals. Second to solve the challenges of both magicals and non-magicals. Third to build technology, technology to improve the lives on this planet, technology to give us a fighting chance when we meet alien civilizations.

The key word is combine. We suggest an organization called United Earth, coordinating governance of magicals, non-magicals, magical creatures, all working together for the betterment of us all. United Earth would have its headquarters in the Golden Gate region of California. It would become a replacement for both the United Nations and the International Confederation of Wizards, although both would remain if they were found to be useful.

We would also have an organization for when we are ready to visit other worlds, called Starfleet. The educational facility to train those in the technology of United Earth, and later Starfleet would be called Starfleet Academy and would also be in the Golden Gate region.

The enormously creative high tech region of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco region would be an integral part of United Earth and Starfleet. There will be many such centers throughout Earth, but they will be coordinated there."

Lewis Hawkins asked Khan, "And who would lead it, you?"

I answered, "Khan has an ability to bring about loyalty. He would be the most effective leader. You two would be in the inner circle of leadership. National governance in both the non-magical and magical domains would continue, with an aim to eventually becoming of lesser importance."

Khan said, "The various existing forms of governance would still continue. United Earth would coordinate our efforts.

Think of the creativity in American high tech and how it could be unleashed by combining with what is today the Technology Alliance in addition to MACUSA. Think of the strong US presence in space, which is our future. Think of the US inventiveness in creating an entirely new realm of connected computers. Imagine what they could do when openly combining with magic?

This is how to merge what are now competing efforts."

President Clinton asked, "What would the roles of non-magical governments versus magical governments be?"

I answered, "Magic has been hidden for over 300 years, partially due to actions that happened in a place that would later lead the formation of the United States. To reveal magic, the magical community would not feel secure enough to do so, without having the leading role in the combined society.

If magic were to be revealed, but under different circumstances, the magical world is perfectly capable of going into hiding again. It is also capable of defending itself, if witch hunts were to resume.

We are offering much, but on our terms. You are already seeing the benefits of magic helping the economy. If non-magicals were to be in control of this integration, we would fear being feared. We would fear being made into slaves, or being attacked whenever something went wrong, or even for not helping enough."

Khan addressed the ICW, "The pathway to a future of Earth that we can all be proud of helping create is simple concept but a very difficult one, a United Earth.

A part of that pathway would be to announce, at the appropriate time and manner, the obvious, that people with special abilities have been helping in recent years, after 300 years of isolation."

President Clinton addressed the public on TV. "Let us lift our eyes to the challenges that await us in the next century. We are on the edge of a bright new prospect in human affairs, a moment that will define our course and our character for decades to come.

As times change, so Government must change. We need a new Government for a new century. Our greatest responsibility is to embrace a new spirit of community for a new century.'

Our children will sleep free from the threat of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. Ports and airports, farms and factories will thrive with trade and innovation and ideas.

And so, my fellow Americans, we must be strong, for there is much to dare. The demands of our time are great, and they are different. Let us meet them with faith and courage."

[author's note: The preceding were actual excepts from Clinton's 1997 inauguration speech. The following were not.

"It is time for the United State of America to join forces with the incredible economic progress happening across the world. I am signing and call upon the Senate to ratify the United Earth treaty.

This treaty will help coordinate trade, technology, and economic development across the planet, and will supercede existing agreements such as NAFTA, the Technology Alliance, WTO, and many others. This agreement will end wars, by effectively stopping them as a United Earth, not as competing alliances. Nuclear weapons will be carefully controlled by a few existing nuclear powers, including the United States, and prevented from falling into the hands of unstable nations and non-state forces. Existing treaties against biological and chemical warfare will be more effectively enforced.

The United Earth will strive to improve the economies of all nations, including the United States. Its goal is to provide meaningful work for all, and assistance when that is not provided. Clean water in abundant quantities. Clean energy that improves our standards of living while improving our environment.

We have already seen some of these benefits in competing efforts, which will now be joined together."