Chapter 41:
[October 2019]
There were two huge events in October 2019, the arrival of our fleet to Proxima Centuari and the arrival of the Tellarites to the Solar System.
With subspace radio we got updates from the fleet to Centauri in real-time, "Admiral Archer reporting from the Enterprise. No signs of sentient life or technology around Proxima. Three planets, and a number of asteroids and moons.
Proxima Centauri 2 is the best candidate for a ground station. They will be living in domes and underground, at least until terraforming might be attempted. Indications are that it will be possible.
A space station is being built in its orbit. Previous plan for the rest of the system is being enacted."
We knew that he was referring to stealth nomad probes to for defense.
"The Columbia is remaining behind while we go on to Centauri A and B."
Then the next event of that month, we received an encrypted subspace message, "Tellarite vessel speaking. Arriving at the Solar System. Advise course."
Starfleet Command responded, "Solar System responding. We are going to repeat some of this message in the clear. Proceed to third planet, Earth, land at the following coordinates, called Presideo Landing Area. There is a 100 meter radius around landing spot. Please confirm your ability to land without causing hazards beyond that radius."
The Tellarites said, "I know how to land. I do not need the buffer zone that the pilots from this world need."
The ship made a smooth landing. The greeting committee emerged from their underground shelters and walked up to the ship.
Five Tellarites walked out of their ship. Our committee was led by Draco who bowed and said, "I am Draco Malfoy, Assistant Director of Future Planning and I welcome you to Earth."
One of the Tallarites impatiently said, "I am Grashnish Skes, Chief Envoy to the Solar System, can we move to a more comfortable location?"
Draco guided them to an entrance to the underground Starfleet complex. When the blast doors closed, Grashnish said, "It is hardly more comfortable here. Outside there was liquid rain, here it is cool and annoyingly humid."
Draco avoided smiling, knowing in advance that this scene would occur, "Please accept these personal gifts. Each cloak has controls to raise or lower the temperature around you. It doesn't have humidity control, but perhaps that feature can be added later."
The Tellarites carefully examined them, and tried out the simple control buttons, and then one, and then all put them on. Grashnish said, "I insist on knowing what powers these devices."
Draco said, "Explanations later. Please come with me to the conference room and meet the President of the United Earth and Solar System."
As they followed them, another Tellarite, Rannerg Gloss, said, "What a silly name. Earth is part of the Solar System."
Draco said, "He started out being President of United Earth and then added the Solar System but didn't want to drop the first title."
They reached the room and Khan gave a slight bow in greeting, "Welcome visitors from Tellar."
Greetings were exchanged. Draco said, "There is a selection of beverages on the table."
Grashnish said, "We can stop speaking in Vulcan, I have a translator that will let me speak in English. We will trade you that technology for the temperature controlled cloak technology."
Khan answered, "Unfortunately, it is an inborn ability to create those enchantments. We can supply you those cloaks, which will eventually wear out, but only those with an inborn ability can create more of them or add the magic to renew one that wears out."
Grashnish said, "You are holding back on what you can trade?"
Khan said, "Of course we are, but not in this area. Only a small number of those born of the species of Earth have this ability. Let us discuss technology trade later."
The Tellarites went up to the beverage table and sniffed different choices. They each chose different fruit juices.
Grashnish said, "While not as good as Tellar fruits, this one has an amusing flavor. You will give us the ability to grow it."
Draco answered, "It is called pineapple, and has some exacting environmental requirements, but you can probably create an artificial environment for it. We should have a general exchange of useful plants."
Grashnish grumbled, "It is hardly worth it if we need artificial environments for them, but we might as well try."
Rannerg impatiently said, "While I am sure that Tellarite life will be much improved by growing pineapple, and you will likewise be overjoyed by some new plants, you did not call us from 11.4 light years away for just this exchange. Tell me something interesting before I grow bored trying to mix these different fruit juices."
Khan couldn't suppress a smile at this and said, "A people that get to the point and who do not accept redirection of attention. Refreshing.
We both are behind the technology of the Vulcans. We do not want to be their subjects to beg for morsels of technology from them.
The Solar System wants to consider working together with Tellar for both technology and also to later consider an alliance. I understand there are many factors to consider before starting an alliance, including if your allies will cause wars that you will be dragged into."
Grashnish answered, "For an exchange, we would need to know more about what you bring to the exchange table. A civilization that just achieved warp might not have much for us. For an alliance, we need to understand much more about you."
Khan said, "Excellent points. What is your relationship with the Vulcans?"
Grashnish answered, "Similar to yours. We did not accept their help. We detected agendas that would not be to our advantage to allow them too much influence. We do trade and cooperate.
Actually, in your year 1957 our cargo ship that happened to be near this system and relayed a message from a Vulcan crew of a ship that crashed on Earth."
Hermione said, "You seem to know more about us than what we have told you."
Rannerg answered, "We cannot help that you are stupid. Until your year 2010 you broadcast much of your civilization's discourse at light speed in the clear. After that you added encryption that wasn't worth the considerable effort you must have put into it."
Grashnish added, "So yes, we heard about your claims about Canon, which should start with an upper case letter, by the way. You do not even understand the rules of your own language."
Khan asked, "If you saw Tellarites in that broadcast, do you believe it was true?"
Rannerg answered, "It would just take knowledge of us and special video effects, which your civilization has. Still we demand to see more, even if it is just for amusement."
Grashnish said, "It would at least make this trip worthwhile, to drink fruit juice and watch entertainment videos.
And the cloaks. This is the only thing you have shown us of value. There is a basis of exchange there."
Rannerg asked, "What is it with that idiotic song in that video about the Vulcans?"
Khan answered, "It is a cry from the heart from a different timeline. A timeline we have no intention of repeating."
Another Tellarite, Prarggann, said, "So you are not unemotional like Vulcans. You need some of their logic though. When you setup an embassy on Tellar are you planning to reveal our secrets with that deficient encryption algorithm?"
Hermione answered, "No, we were going to use a one-time pad algorithm."
Prarggann nodded in approval and said, "You'll show us how you prepare the pads and store them before we'll trust you with secrets. New warp societies proud of their achievements often do not think through the ways around an algorithm and only think of the ways directly through it."
Khan said, "Canon itself is one of the things that we have to trade. You are not getting that for free."
Harry Potter added, "Perhaps we should each outline what we have to trade, both technology, capability, and information. You should also see that we advance quickly and perhaps see the advantages of being allied with us. In canon in another 135 years you were only a little more advanced. 135 years ago, Earth didn't have powered flight, only lighter than air balloons and magical aerial conveyances only known to a small subculture. 1957 was the year we launched the first satellite into orbit. From that to warp in 61 years."
Grashnish nodded and said, "Potential could be worthwhile on the exchange table."
Khan said, "I will say a little bit about Canon. Canon was described in a broadcast that you saw. It contains much. It also helps us determine who to consider future allies, who to consider future enemies, who could go either way."
Grashnish asked, "Where is Tellar on this spectrum?"
Khan answered, "Stalwart allies. Vulcans, while insufferable now, will eventually be allies, but were almost influenced by Romulans to be enemies. Romulans were an offshoot of Vulcans that went elsewhere and remained emotional and warlike. Andorians are ready to fight anyone. They fought you in the next century.
In Canon, eventually Earth led an alliance called the Federation with the four as founding members and later growing much larger. We want an alliance with you that does not result in any wars with the Andorians or Vulcans, and that later can include them when we both have greater strength."
Grashnish asked, "How will you give us greater strength?"
Harry Potter answered, "Three ways. By combining our research and production abilities. By sharing the results of magic with you. By sharing hints in canon towards the creation of future technologies."
Grashnish said, "Each of those would need to be proven. We obviously can help you by having a greater technology level than you. We might also have knowledge of others that are not in your Canon."
Harry Potter asked, "What is your top warp speed?"
Grashnish said, "2.68."
Harry Potter said, "Probably pitiful compared to the Vulcans, but faster than our 1.82. You understand that we could surpass you on our own, but together we would both be faster in development than alone."
Grashnish said, "I will use a saying in your language common to the region of Texas. How do we know that you are not all hat and no cattle?"
Khan said, "And how do we know that you didn't buy some technology and barely advance it? How would you prove either civilization's worth as a research partner and ally?"
Grashnish said, "A test project. We work on something together where we start and expect to complete the project still behind the Vulcans, but ahead of where both of us are now."
Khan said, "Don't insult us by saying it should be on Tellar. It will be in both systems, with people and information constantly traveling back and forth."
Grashnish said, "For now everything is on an equal exchange basis. Let us both see if we want a greater alliance or cooperation later. Three of us will stay here, three of you come with us, then we send regular ships back and forth. Increased warp speed will be the project."
Harry Potter said, "We will trade a supply of magically duplicate dilithium crystals, that each have a very limited service life, for a smaller supply of real crystals."
Grashnish said, "Fine. Eventually we want some of your spell casters to work for us."
Khan said, "If we eventually give permission for that, you will also have to make it worth their while as individuals who can freely choose whether they do not want to."
Rannerg said, "Now I am upset that I do not get to watch videos, drink fruit juice, and sing along to my favorite song." He then started singing, "Cause I've got faith of the heart. I'm going where my heart will take me. I've got faith to believe I can do anything. I've got strength of the soul. An' no ones's gonna bend or break me. I can reach any star."
He continued, "That is the secret to your planet's research abilities, lyrics such as these."
Khan laughed out loud, "Now you understand our true strengths."
