Chapter 50:
[2025 to 2026, Vulcan]
The Vulcans, after deliberation replied, "Since in Canon, Vulcan policy changed after receiving the information purportedly from Surak, it would be logical for us to recover this information before deciding about changes in relations to the Alliance of Civilizations.
We agree to the terms that the information would be broadcast to all of Vulcan and that the Vulcan government endeavors to keep such information safe and available to the Vulcan public. We also endeavor to make various non-destructive tests to determine authenticity widely available when and if such artifacts and information become available."
We decided to broadcast the entire arc of Enterprise episodes, not only to give them the information about Surak, but also for them all to see the dangers of Romulan influence, with the reveal at the end. We sent The Forge, Awakening, and Kir'Shara. At the same time, all of the Alliance received these episodes.
In case they didn't notice these points, we put a short commentary after the arc of episodes. "Yes that was a Romulan at the end." "Most who have analyzed Canon agree that those Vulcans who marched beneath the Raptor's wings were the ancestors of the Romulans." "It is not just the actions taken under Romulan influence that should be looked at, but the orders followed."
Besides the searches based on those episodes, Vulcans reflected that, assuming Canon is true, Vulcans and Andorians can both be fairly brutal, given certain conditions. It was noted based on other parts of Canon that were published that Humans also can be brutal, but it hadn't been seen in this timeline since President Singh took over, and in the Canon timeline mostly after Khan Singh had been defeated.
On Vulcan a large movement of people headed towards the Forge region, all looking for locations shown in the episodes. Various groups with different agendas agreed, "Logically, we all agree to find the mentioned artifacts and to try to determine authenticity. The only likely disagreement would be who might mind meld with Surak's katra. It would be logical for us to work cooperatively on this search so that none of us might take unilateral actions."
It didn't take that long to find the Kir'Shara, a device containing the works of Surak. With many groups watching, the original archaic Vulcan writings were published as soon as they were displayed on the device. It would take years to properly translate them, but initial translations were rapid. The katra of Surak, which can communicate mentally in the language of the host, would seem to be able to also translate the language of the Kir'Shara. For some reason it wasn't done in Canon.
The various groups on Vulcan had agreed on a monk who was considered honest and worthy. All that remained was to find the statue containing Surak's katra.
The Vulcan government asked Sol, "We would request your assistance in finding the katra of Surak."
A team of top magical researchers on Earth arrived on Vulcan, traveling on a fast Vulcan ship. Among the group was Bill Weasley. He explained, "A Vulcan katra is quite different from a horcrux. For one, it is created voluntarily with no sacrifice, no evil acts. Itself, it does not cause harm, unlike a horcrux. It is not a splitting of a soul, but the transferring of an intact soul."
Another researcher added, "Nevertheless, it is a soul. Remove or shield all persons from the area, and then we will start to search for the presence of a soul."
Their team traveled with six Vulcans each keeping on eye on each other. The group was shielded from the scan and conducted a systematic search. Two Earth months later they found the statue, and the Vulcan monk was voluntarily possessed by Surak.
The Vulcans published everything that the monk communicated. The Vulcans accepted Human magical help to retrieve the memories of the monk. Surak would answer questions, and help interpret his writings found in the Kir'Shara, including the finer points of the ancient vocabulary.
Similar to in Canon, Surak did not stay around as an advisor. He did remain longer than in Canon to help translate his own works. The Vulcans understood his logical reasons as to why Surak should not have a role of an oracle in the future Vulcan society, but instead his teaching should be available for Vulcans to learn.
By mid-2026 there was a consensus on Vulcan to follow Surak's teachings, but to also make decisions based on new information.
[Orion meeting with the Alliance]
Around this time an Orion delegation arranged to meet us at Jupiter Orbit Station. We had mentioned to them wanting to bring new worlds in the Alliance in their direction of space.
Rollik, some sort of senior Orion Syndicate negotiator, said, "I truly like dealing with the Alliance. The lack of diplomatic niceties and the method of communication you call brutal honesty is refreshing.
The Orion Syndicate's niche has traditionally been among separate civilizations somewhat hostile to each other. We provide the trade links, we consider some, but not others, as suitable targets for predation.
The Alliance has demonstrated an ability to grow. The trend would be an area of space all around us controlled by the Alliance. What would the role of Orions be? Why should we not prevent this trend?"
I answered, "On Earth, I cooperated with criminal organizations and found new profitable roles for their skills and strengths. In all cases I found that criminality was not essential to their way of life, but profit was. To this day, you'll find those organizations work as enforcement against crime, as covert action forces that can conduct actions authorized by Section 31, and sometimes as public works contractors.
In Canon you'll find that the Orions found their niches even as the Federation grew to a fairly large area of space. However, its role was more tolerated than accepted. I would seek a better arrangement than in Canon."
Rollik said, "Why would it not be to our advantage now to stop the Alliance while it is still weaker than us?"
Khan answered, "It is possibly too late, unless you brought in empires to cooperate with. What would your long term prospects look like if an empire such as the Klingons or Romulans would be in charge? They are far more ruthless than us and far more focused on their own species.
Also, in Canon there is the far greater threat of the Borg that will eventually need to be dealt with. We believe that our Alliance approach will lead to the strength needed to protect all of us when the time comes."
Rollik answered, "That is the dilemma, isn't it? What will the Alliance do when it no longer is threatened by Orion and perhaps no longer has much need of it either.
Tellarite leader Zhullus said, "An alliance does not usually find any member critically needed, but does gain from each member. Surely you have some skills other than piracy?"
Rollik answered, "Each of your species has their own way of being brutally honest, very refreshing. I suppose Orions are good at marketing, sales, logistics, connecting the desires of species to their fulfillment.
It is true we do better when these markets are illegal, but we can perhaps also operate competitively in legal markets."
Khan said, "Let us make Coridan an example of how we can work together. In Canon, Coridan was a centuries long source of conflict between the our species and Orions."
Rollik answered, "That will give us something to reflect on after we setup whatever we agree to there.
I suppose as the Alliance grows we can have a role in the areas beyond its growth, but it sounds like you expect it to reach the entire galaxy in time."
Tellarite leader Zhullus said, "That make no sense to worry about the Orion role then. If that were to happen, each species would be an insignificant part of a huge Alliance."
Andorian council member Bynil said, "You might be uniquely able to provide an important service to the Alliance. While you conduct trade beyond Alliance areas, you can also provide intelligence information to the Alliance."
I added, "We would expect useful information to flow only towards the Alliance, not towards our enemies. We might find non-critical information that you can use."
Rollik answered, "You might have identified a role that Orion is uniquely qualified for."
I said, "Someone will consolidate our part of the galaxy. I think you'll do better with us than any alternative you can find. Remember, none of us are making empty promises here. We are saying that each of us will find mutual advantages in working together in future changing circumstances."
[Alliance Expansion voyage 2026]
The agreements with the Orions now allowed Alliance expansion in areas closer to Orion. Additional Alliance colonies provided more business for the Orions. They expanded their trading networks but typically didn't colonize planets or start mining operations. They preferred to profit from other's work.
Admiral Archer led a fleet of 14 NX starships, 4 from Sol, 1 built on Sirius, 3 from Tellar, 4 from Andoria, 2 from Denobula.
Deneva was ideal for colonization and the system had many mining resources. The alliance as a whole spread throughout the system. The usual defenses were setup and 2 starships were left behind.
A Human area of the planet for some reason was built to resemble a mid-20th century research complex called Space Park in Redondo Beach California. It was one of those Star Trek Canon having an influence on the timeline examples. We just had to make sure that it would be protected from parasites arriving from space in 2267.
Khan after watching the Original Series episode Operation Annihilate!, said, "I do not want anything to happen to James Kirk's brother. Perhaps some day my descendant will challenge James Kirk to an honorable duel to the death on general principles."
Rigel had an active civilization that was part of the Orion trading network. They welcomed trade, and were considering joining the Alliance, but said they would want an Orion agreement for them to do so.
The next stop was Coridan. In Canon there was a proxy conflict with different factions backed by Vulcans and Andorians. Another element of conflict in Canon was that the Tellarites had demanded that Coridan join a trade embargo against Orion. Orion pirates had been attacking Tellarite freighters in Canon. In the Star Trek Original Series, Journey to Babel, there were still conflicts with Orion over Coridan, about 115 years later.
In this timeline, the Alliance worked out an agreement with the Orions and Coridan. The goal of the agreement was that all parties would find it profitable. The activities in Canon that were called Orion smuggling and illegal mining operations would be acknowledged and allowed above board. Coridan would get a better price for their diluthium and other minerals.
Vulcan interests were essentially ignored. They could trade freely at Coridan, but would not be allowed any influence on the governance there.
Rather than exclusive contracts over dilithium mines and dilithium exports, there would be auctions.
The agreement allowed Coridan to join the Alliance. They didn't plan to for now, since they were already being defended by both the Alliance and the Orions. They gained from trade, mostly of their minerals, and they would make less money by being in the Alliance, having to build starships and participate in Alliance fleets.
The next stop was Keto-Enol, "You can trade with us, but if you capture any of our ships saying they broke your law, you will regret it. For now, it might be better if you traded at Deneva and we will tell our ships to avoid your space."
Watching the Enterprise episode Canamar, caused a lot of us to insult the Enolians. An Andorian leader said, "I would like an excuse to visit Canamar, and switch the prisoners with the guards."
The last stop for the fleet before dispersing for refits and guard duty was Lorillia. They were humanoids who can only breathe methyl oxide until the age of four. In Canon they joined the Federation at some point.
They quickly agreed to join the Alliance. They felt uneasy being neighbors of the Enolians and wanted some protection from them.