"Going somewhere, are we?"
When Shalamorn took the call, High Councillor Zheri was the last person they expected it to be. The councillors Pietre and Sherkat were also seen on the screen.
The councillors Chianba and Diric who just had been in conversation with Shalamorn about the departure the next day, took a step closer to show them their presence. Jason, Neri and Mera took their places right behind the Queen.
"High Councillor Zheri, Councillor Pietre, Councillor Sherkat," Shalamorn greeted them and bent her head to each of them, "I am grateful for the opportunity to talk to you. I was hoping to get in touch with you."
"All the more, why we were surprised to hear you're leaving before we could continue the discussion we started with your daughters."
"As you can imagine, High Councillor, we fight on several borders these days," Shalamorn replied, "and an urgent matter requires our presence on Earth."
"I can't see how a matter with Earth People can be more urgent than a truce with us."
"This is not about prioritising," Jason said. He had tried to put the words together in oceanic but had given up quickly. "We are about to meet politicians and scientists from Earth in a first introducing encounter. Also, we were hoping, you would join us."
The idea had just crossed his mind and out of instinct, he tossed it in the room. Instantly he found himself in the centre of attention. Every single pair of eyes were on him in surprise and disbelief.
"What are you doing?" Mera asked almost inaudible at his neck.
"Join you?" Zheri repeated also in English with a suspicious expression. "Why should we walk into this trap?"
"It's not a trap," Jason replied, "but an opportunity to get to know the people who will be involved in the trial."
"You never said a word about Earth People being part of the jury!" Sherkat spat outraged.
"Well, they are," Jason responded, "the outcome still has to be unanimous. So does it matter who sits in our half?"
"You're playing a dangerous game, Jason Bates," Zheri said, the wrinkles of her mouth jerking.
"We came to you, remember? We want peace and a future for both our people. This is neither a trap nor a game. Just an opportunity to get to know those primitive apes you are so scared of."
"You're trying to provoke us," Pietre replied amused. "That's clever. Unfortunately for you, our opinion about your folk is not a matter of pride but of our superiority in knowledge and technology. Why should we be scared of you? You just came down from the trees while we travel the galaxy."
"You know, a while ago, I would have thought the same way," Jason responded and took a step towards the screen. "Living in peace and harmony with nature? Using your resources to help another species to prevent them making the same mistakes you did? That sounds very superior to me. But look at you right now! On the brink of a civil war, your weapons directed at each other, your technology used against your own people." He gave each of the councillors a look and shook his head. "I can't see any superiority in that. In fact, after the years I spent with Neri and Mera, it's hard to believe that you're actually the same species! All I see are the lies of an overly-ambitious man and the deep scars he left on your people. If we just came down from the trees, Malakat surely did you drive back into the water!" He spread his arms and shrugged. "You're right: we are not very scary. But in a matter of a few years, you made a complete turnaround, changing from the peaceful society you have been for thousands of years to people who are ready to commit genocide. And if that's not enough to scare the hell out of you, the fact that one man alone was able to do that to you, should be."
"It's an intriguing view on things," Pietre replied calmly, "but you seem to forget that many conflicts have been brewing before Malakat took charge. The way the old government handled things was put into question long before Kh'seem took his daughters and the synchronium to Earth."
Jason exchanged a quick look with the Queen and the girls, realising it was the first time, he heard the name of Neri's father.
"Malakat didn't change us," Zheri continued, "it was rather a necessity to adapt to the circumstances. And along the way, we realised we had to evaluate some of our ways in order to survive."
"By betraying the very essence of our being?" Shalamorn asked. "Shifting the basis of our moral understanding?"
"You were the one who shifted the emphasis from compassion to neglect your own people's needs, Shalamorn," Sherkat said coolly. "And you refused to even hear us out when we wanted to talk to you about our concerns towards your change of priorities. So we took a leader who did."
"And look where it got us," Jason responded. "Malakat is gone and you're in charge now. This is a chance for you to go back to your old ways!"
"You know nothing about us, Jason Bates," Zheri replied.
"Then fill me in," he suggested. "Tell us about you."
"Us?" Sherkat repeated, his forehead frowned.
"Yes," Jason nodded, "us humans. I know you think this conflict is between your own people and better to solve amongst your own. But you'd be surprised what a third party could achieve."
"A third party which wants to put our leader on a trial!" Sherkat spat sneerily.
"A party which, unfortunately, has a lot of experience in this area," Jason added. "It seems you know as little about us as we know about you. There is no harm in getting to know each other and here's the perfect opportunity."
"Still also like a perfect trap," Sherkat said. "How can we be sure you won't just get rid of us, one way or another?"
"Because we both know, the slightest provocation could lead to an open war," Jason replied, "that neither of us really want."
"You say," Neri said suddenly and took a step forward, "I am naïve and idealistic like my mother. So you know, if I make promise I will keep it. It is no trap. You won't be harmed." With two fingers she crossed her forehead. "I promise."
The councillors exchanged a look, silently communicating.
"We will participate," Zheri said then, "but we keep Shersheba as a security measure."
Jason nodded grimly. It wasn't to his liking to make this deal over Shersheba's head but he hadn't expected any different.
"Can I talk to her?"
On sync, the councillors stepped back to reveal Shersheba had been close all the time.
"Are you alright?" Jason wanted to know.
Shersheba gave him an assuring smile. "Yes, I'm alright. And before you ask, it's fine for me to stay. I'm treated well and I'm allowed to move wherever I want as long as I stay in the area."
"Still, I never wanted you to get into such a situation," Jason responded.
"I got myself into it, Jason," she replied, "and this way, maybe there is even something good coming from out of it."
"Shersheba," Neri tossed in and Shersheba gave her a surprised look. "We will never forget and our people will never forget. Without you, our planet could never be saved."
Shersheba hesitated, then bent her head. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The screen was directed back to the councillors.
"Sherkat and me," Zheri said, "we will take our own craft. Send us the coordinates of the meeting location on Earth through this channel."
Shalamorn gave one of the guards a short nod and he quickly tipped in some symbols. Without further words, the screen was shut down.