Chapter 45:
[Sirius system 2022]
There was a steady stream of armed cargo vessels that could travel at warp 2.97, heading to Sirius from both Sol and Tellar. There was a planet, Sirius Alpha 3, that was ideal for colonization, and people were moving there in large numbers. The Sirius system was now well defended with stealth mines and full manufacturing abilities were begun.
Sirius Beta 9 became part of the Solar Civilization and started receiving aid to transform their economy and add magic to it. Tourism became a major industry on the planet. The new factories and mining operations throughout the Sirius system hired many people from there.
It didn't take the Sirius Beta Niners long to see the advantages of joining. In the initial approach the Solar and Tellarite fleet was careful to not cause them to ask for Vulcan protection.
The Centauri system wasn't as ideal, but still had a large flow of people moving to it.
[Research centers 2022]
In August 2022 the phase cannon group reached the point of it being better than the older plasma cannon. There was still more development work to do, but ships were completed now using the research as it was. The expectation was that the phase cannons would be upgraded later.
The NX ships that were upgraded now had a photon torpedo factory on board. The components only needed to last a few minutes, so magically duplicated materials were sufficient.
[July 2022 conference with the Andorians]
The conference was shown the arc of episodes of Enterprise that included the Andorians. We didn't show the episode Proving Ground where the Andorians try to capture an advanced Xindi weapon as a deterrent against the Vulcans. We didn't want to explain that the absence of time travel would make this episode moot, or how we got that information that time travel would not occur. They already had enough doubts about Canon, and even if we did talk about Q that wouldn't allay their primary skepticism of Canon. Q had agendas, and his stated agenda was to help Humanity evolve to be the Q, without mentioning the other species.
We also didn't show information about the Aenar yet, since that would be valuable information that should be given to them later.
The Andorian Bynil asked after seeing the Andorian Incident, "Why would you want to ally with us, when you believe that in another timeline we would casually mistreat Humans?"
Khan answered, "We are more militant in this timeline, and would not allow such treatment to go unanswered. However, the episodes show a potential for an alliance that would be mutually beneficial. It also shows that possibility also with the Vulcans."
Tellarite leader Mirggond added, "We believe that the war referred to between Tellar and Andoria was unnecessary and accomplished little for either. In Canon once the Romulans became a threat and went through enormous efforts to try to cause Tellar and Andoria to fight each other again, we instead became allies."
The Andorian Bynil asked, "Interesting points. However I would like to ask more about your statement that Humans are more militant in this timeline. Could you please explain further?"
Khan answered, "The Human species has generally not had only one culture and philosophy. In Canon, I would have led a faction that would have been wiped out. I used Canon knowledge to prevail."
Bynil asked, "The part of humanity that has magic?"
Khan answered, "Even within that group there were many factions. However, in Canon all were wiped out. Then Earth would have had decades of war, then develop warp travel and accept Vulcan oversight for about 90 years. The Human culture and philosophy that emerged at that time was a very different one than now."
Bynil said, "You showed me the Enterprise episode you call 4x09, having censored the title and only showed certain scenes from that episode. Two questions, why did you censor it, and second, why would Earth put its starship in the way of Vulcans attacking Andorians knowing that they could not prevail in that battle?"
Khan answered, "The title and much of the episode contains information that we do not want to give to the Vulcans yet. It is not military information, but information that could change Vulcan society, and we want a better relationship with the Vulcans before we do so. There is also a part of the episode United, that could change Andorian society that we have not revealed.
The part we did show was Romulans infiltrating the Vulcan government and encouraging war with Andoria and a willingness to attack Human ships that didn't obey them.
Why a Human ship fought against the Vulcans on behalf of Andorians, against orders I might add? It seems like a desire for justice and a feeling of common cause against the Romulan dominated government of Vulcan. In our timeline Humanity is more calculating and cares more about long term planning. We could possibly do the same as shown in that episode in Canon, but with different motivations."
Bynil replied, "I know from the way we have been presented in Canon that you would expect me to demand the withheld information about Andorian society and start issuing threats. Instead I'll assume that it would be a part of a general information exchange if our civilizations cooperated."
Tellarite leader Mirggond answered, "Yes. If we do start sharing information that needs to be limited, we expect you to use effective encryption when communicating. We think we have the best, but if you'll tell us that you've been intercepting our communications we will congratulate you and ask for details for us to improve."
Khan answered, "We also have magical limitations for who can know certain parts of Canon. If you and a select number of others were added, they would be magically prevented from telling others, but could use the information to make decisions."
Bynil asked, "Based on our intelligence, some Humans have magical abilities. Vulcans have some limited abilities. Tellarites have none. What about Andorians?"
Khan answered, "That information would be a part of cooperation."
Bynil said, "The crux of the matter is trust. Your stated goals are acceptable to us. How do we know that you do not plan to take over Andoria, or weaken it? For that matter how do we know that your hidden parts of Canon will not cause you to take such actions at a later time, maybe even much later? Another possibility is that while it appears that you need our help now for some reason, what if at a later time when that help has been given, you'll rationally conclude that we are more threat than asset to you?"
Khan answered, "These are valid concerns and I commend the careful way you approach alliances.
We have methods of compelling truth and of detecting truth. However, why would you believe us if we state the results of such methods? From Canon your methods, available in the future, are crude, more similar to torture, and can cause permanent mental damage.
Since the only source of proof of truth I have involve magicals from Earth, I will mention the best choice I am aware of. There are organizations that provide safe and truth detecting conference facilities for those who want to negotiate but do not trust each other. I have used Delhi Magi Conference Centre for this purpose. Their pride and reputation includes not accepting any pressure from governments. The same governments let them be due to their essential function, which even the governments themselves will use on occasion as customers."
Bynil asked, "Would you allow me and some other Andorians to visit the community around that center and ask questions?"
Khan said, "Certainly. You know that security will need to follow you to prevent a diplomatic incident if trouble should befall you?"
Bynil answered, "I understand that many of those with magic can cast a spell to prevent eavesdropping. I assume that security would be satisfied if that spell were used by those I spoke to?"
Khan said, "Yes. Would you allow me to be your tour guide?"
Bynil answered, "Yes."
[In the magical shopping area of Delhi India]
Our shuttle landed on a mud flat on the Yamuna River in Delhi. At the Old Iron Bridge there is a secret magical entrance to a sprawling magical district that extends in a hidden space along the railroad between the Red Fort complex and the Salim Garh Fort complex. There is another hidden entrance at the Chata Rail Junction.
The district had the look of India in the 17th century. Bynil was gregarious and went to cafes and places to drink. He would buy rounds of drinks and ask people, "Where would a non-magical alien like myself go if I wanted to ensure that this guy is telling me the truth?", pointing to United Solar Civilization President Khan Noonien Singh.
Most answered, Delhi Magi Conference Centre and added that the place would close down before violating their pledges of honesty, privacy, and protection while on their premises.
Bynil told Khan, "Ok, lets book a conference there also with Mirggond."
[August 2022 at Delhi Magi Conference Centre]
The staff directed Bynil to a room next to the conference room.
"Andorian Intelligence Liason Bynil. We will direct you to the conference room. It is divided down the middle and no-one can pass that line, nor can any objects be passed across it.
In that room, no-one can lie, and if they omit something material they are compelled to say, "There is more I am not saying". Your thoughts will not be made available to anyone, except to determine if you are telling the truth. Your mind will not be altered, except as I have already said, and only while in the conference room.
Those outside the room will have no access to anything said inside the room. There is a call button with which you can ask for any of our services, including calling for a lawyer who will be under a magically enforced non-disclosure agreement. You can ask for a method of projecting your memories as a video. You can ask for refreshments. You can ask to end the meeting."
Bynil entered the room from one side, Khan and Mirggond from the other. They slightly bowed to each other. The staff directed them to chairs, saying "Before you begin your meeting, each of you please read out loud the paper in front of you. Depending on your occlumency abilities, you might need to relax it for this to work. You only need to make available the part of your mind that knows if it is telling the truth. There is no need to expose your memories, which in any case we are not trying to discover."
The paper said, "2 plus 2 equals 4. 2 plus 2 equals 5. 0 is a prime number. 1 is a prime number. 3 is a prime number. 4 is a prime number."
The staff member said, "We can confirm our truth detection works on all of you. Note that the first prime number questions were deliberately designed to be confusing for most. We will now leave the room and you can talk in private."
Bynil said, "Before you leave would it be possible to record this meeting and then if there is mutual agreement, part or all of it can be released to our governments?"
Both Khan and Mirggond said, "We agree."
Another staff member entered the room from each side and placed a device on the table, "If you do not all agree to retain these recordings, they will be destroyed when you leave. The device has these buttons, reverse, forward, play, erase. It will also continually add to the recording."
Bynil said, "Let us begin. What is your plan for Andorians should we come to an agreement?"
Khan answered, "To trade technology, knowledge, and materials. To cooperate on research. To all three of us update our deployed fleets and other devices to use the latest research. To agree to defend each other, while at the same time agreeing that starting wars will be subject to a joint decision. To work out a peaceful arrangement with the Vulcans, so no wars break out with the Solar Civilization, Tellarites, and Andorians."
Mirggon added, "The Tellarites concur with the statement of Solar President Singh."
Bynil asked, "What about after the Vulcans no longer seem to be a threat, and also after Klingons and Romulans no longer seem to be a serious threat?"
Khan answered, "By that time we hope to have a greater integration of our three civilizations. We would want to add the Vulcans to collection, perhaps as a Federation as shown in Canon, but with a more pragmatic and less idealistic outlook."
Mirggond added, "I concur. I also assume that there will always be threats on the horizon. Canon shows some very powerful and expansionistic forces in the galaxy and threats from beyond the galaxy."
Bynil asked, "Would the hidden parts of canon cause you to turn against Andorians?"
Khan answered, "Magic prevents me from disclosing parts of canon unless you were added to the secret, in which case you could know but could not share that information. However, I am able to make the statement that there is nothing that I know of that would cause us to turn against Andorians. Obviously if the Andorians turned against us that would be a cause. If Andorians caused a war contrary to mutual agreement that could also be a cause."
Mirggond said, "My turn for questions. If we came to an agreement, would the Andorians follow it always?"
Bynil answered, "Yes, unless there was a materially misleading aspect of the information given to us that led us to that agreement. If at some point we regarded alliance joint decisions as being harmful to the future of Andorians, that could be a cause to leave such an agreement. If the danger was serious enough, then even if the Andorian government continued to follow the agreement that government could be overthrown.
That leads to a question I have. Do you see a circumstance in which you would use magic to alter our minds?"
Khan answered, "Only voluntarily. You are asking if we would change the behavior of your government using magic on minds. No we would not."
Bynil asked, "Why not?"
Khan answered, "It has too much of a likelihood of causing a deep and permanent enmity."
Bynil asked "Would you be willing to make this part of an agreement and use magic to ensure it?"
Khan answered, "Yes and magic to prove our intentions are honest in following it. Using magic itself to enforce that agreement has too many dangers, and also would be very difficult to enforce on successors to the people involved."
Bynil asked, "Would you teach us magic?"
Khan answered, "We do not know how to teach those who have no in-born magic. If that ability were discovered, it would need to be decided if it should be done, depending on the specifics. There are some on your planet who have some magical abilities and who probably could be taught, but I do not know to what extent. I also know that they are all extreme pacifists."
Bynil asked, "You know this from Canon?"
Khan answered, "Yes. Now I have a question. If, after an agreement, circumstances appeared where you could ally yourself with an enemy of the Solar System and Tellar, would you consider doing so."
Bynil answered, "Unlikely unless the survival of Andoria was at stake. It is not something we would do just to gain position."
[March 2023 on Andoria]
Andorians prefer treaties with huge numbers of clauses. All sorts of hypothetical situations were addressed. The three governments who assembled to sign the treaty all were magically verified to have their full intention of following the agreement.
A side agreement was arranged with the Vulcans, where neither side would engage in aggressive moves towards the other. A listening station by the Vulcans on P'Jem was allowed, but the Andorians were also allowed to setup listening stations near their border.
The main Solar-Tellar-Andor Alliance treaty specified what they had discussed before. They would fully share information, technology, and trade materials. Two leaders of Andoria, including Bynil, would have knowledge of Q and full knowledge of Canon, but would be magically prevented from disclosing the information.