Chapter 47:

[March 2024, Solar System]

A subspace message was received, "This is the Orion trading vessel Zoral. We are 1 Earth day away from Jupiter Orbit Station and would like to dock and establish trade."

We called an instant planning meeting, so we could reply before they would arrive. Not everyone was there and we didn't trust the security of our subspace communications for these planning meetings.

Daphne started, "There isn't time to view Canon episodes. The Orion Syndicate does many things. They run the trading network in the region. They can be pirates, slave traders, with none of our species off limits, and many other criminal activities.

I know what you are thinking Lucius."

Daphne used my first name. The planning group agreed to use first names. We each had long titles, mine being Minister of Safe-Guarding the Future Malfoy in addition to Section 31 Chief Malfoy. There were 4 of us with the last name Malfoy in the planning group. Armand joined a while ago. Scorpius was about to join, but had the last name Greengrass, since he was heir Greengrass after Daphne.

Daphne continued, "You made use of organized criminal elements in your rise to power on Earth. However, those were locally organized groups. The Orion Syndicate is well organized, insular, and operates over a large area. You will not be able to control them with the resources available to you."

Tracey added, "Most of the Orions we see are the green ones. Some of their women have an allure ability similar to Veela but much stronger. We can speculate but do not know if a wizard competent in occlumency can withstand their allure. In Canon they said it was pheromones, but we do not know if there is an additional magical aspect. We do know from Canon that Vulcans are immune. The women would appear to be slaves but are actually secretly in charge, and can be used to take over those who buy them as slaves. There are also blue Orions, and their society is run by men, who are also part of the Orion Syndicate."

Bynil added, "Their technology level is higher than ours, around the level of the Vulcans. They avoid attacking planets in this area, we think due to not wanting a war with the Vulcans. They do conduct piracy, but are careful to avoid leaving evidence pointing to them. Neither their ships nor their persons are ever allowed to be captured, both having self-destruct systems."

Khan said, "Now that we know who we will be dealing with, we will need to decide on our response."

[At Jupiter Orbit Station]

The Orion ship Zoral was directed to dock at a small detached space station some distance from the main one. From there they would be shuttled by Starfleet to the main station. It was explained that Orion females needed to be in a full environment suit provided by Starfleet while on the station, at least until it might be determined if they could reign in their allure.

The delegation leader introduced himself, "I am Captain Joziz."

The Solar delegation leaders introduced herself, "I am Solar Trade Director Dmitrievna. You are free to trade goods. In the absence of a trade agreement you will need to declare your goods at this stations, and we will bring over anything cleared. You can buy general items that are not considered sensitive."

Joziz answered, "We would in fact like a trade agreement. I can speak for the Orion Syndicate."

Dmitrievan said, "I can negotiate on behalf of United Solar Civilization, but agreements would need to be ratified by my government."

Joziz appeared confident and friendly and said, "We welcome new trading partners and can provide much for civilizations such as yourselves. We can add trade agreements also with your Alliance partners. You do not need Vulcan permission to make agreements, I assume?"

Dmitrievan didn't fall for that emotional manipulation about the Vulcans and said, "No. Our Alliance however freely trades with each other, so some coordination in our agreements might be called for. What agreements are you looking for?"

Joziz said, "We offer the materials, cultural artifacts, foods, drinks, devices, and much more of a very wide area. We would start by setting up a trading center on your Jupiter Orbit Station, along with an entertainment center that can bring the exotic, the experiences and tastes of the galaxy right to your star system."

Dmitrievan answered, "We would limit that. First, no use of allure. Second, no items that can cause addiction. We would test everything first and determine what would be helpful and not harmful for our species."

Joziz said, "Delightful. I think in time you will see the advantages of expanded trade, but that would be an excellent starting point. As for what would be valuable in exchange, your minerals might have a little value, if there are some that are somewhat rare elsewhere. Your technology at your level of development is not likely to have much value. Your cultural and food items would have some novelty value.

However, your people have something very valuable. Magic. We would trade not only in magical items, but would want to hire your spell casters."

Dmitrievan answered, "This is not something likely at this time. At present we only allow our magicals to be hired out among the Alliance. In addition, from what we know of your culture, they would become slaves, not employees."

Joziz, "Perhaps, or perhaps we would honor any labor agreement made. There could be some test cases. Perhaps elderly magicals, or younger ones that would dream of the type of luxury that could be made available to them by us. Whatever they dream of we might be able to provide. If they truly do not know if they trust us, we could make a truly substantial payment to their beneficiaries in advance of their service to us. For some that would be sufficient even if they did not trust us. We would like you to make this offer known and allow those who would find this adventure appealing, to follow their hearts desires."

Dmitrievan said, "Suppose this were agreed to. That is technology being traded away. You have much technology beyond us. If this were to be allowed perhaps substantial technology in exchange would be a part of such an agreement."

Joziz smiled and said, "I think we have the beginnings of an agreement."

Dmitrievan said, "In any agreement with the Orion Syndicate, we would require that no Alliance species ever be enslaved. Furthermore that no Alliance ships be pirated."

Joziz, "You are asking for considerable resources to be used to police all Orions. It can be discussed, but that effort would require continuing funding."

Dmitrievan "Start with the small trade center we discussed. It would take a while for there to be comfort in the other areas of discussion to come to fruition. I do caution you, attempts to recruit or remove magicals without an agreement would put an unforgiving rising power as an enemy that you will not want to have."

Joziz said, "We want trade and for everyone to feel that they gain from that trade. We are not in business to make enemies."

[Meeting to discuss the Orion offer]

Draco said, "The Orions look to out Syltherin us. They will use their trading center to spy, maybe threaten or bribe individuals. They'll probably try to get ahold of magicals even with our threats against them."

Khan answered, "Let us look at the long term goals here. Magic will become more widely known over time. Gaining technology is how we will become peers of not only the Vulcans, but the Orions as well."

Daphne said, "They will never give us enough to reach their level. They'll give us something minor to them, but significant to us. In the Enterprise episode Bound, they offered magnecite.

I answered, "Then we make them think that a prolonged negotiation with us will bring them better results than piracy. We start with their trading center and watch it and them carefully. We let them know that further agreements would require careful discussion among the entire alliance. If we eventually agree with allowing them some access to magic we'll make sure that we negotiate well."

Daphne answered, "Let us make sure that we don't get fooled by them. They have a lot of experience dealing with ambitious civilizations, seeming to offer what they want. Just because you see them as fellow predators, as kindred spirits, doesn't mean that they will not see us merely as prey."

[Arrival of Denobulans]

After some subspace discussion, and a meeting with some Denobulans on Tellar, they decided to send negotiators to Earth to discuss joining the Alliance.

The Denobulan group arrived on Earth. When they introduced themselves, one said he was Chief Geneticist Phlox. He appeared identical to Doctor Phlox in the series Enterprise. He was probably his ancestor, and we knew that when the appearances are identical to someone in Canon, the person is significant to our timeline.

After much general discussion about Alliance aims, and methods of dealing with other civilizations, Phlox said, "In order to join the Alliance and share technologies, there is one technology that we request you develop and share with us. We Denobulans use genetic engineering often, to remove flaws and diseases. We have experimented with improving ourselves, but found the results to be negative for various reasons. We avoid it now only for practical, not moral, reasons.

Simply put, we want a future generation of Denobulans to include at least some with magical abilities."

Khan answered, "Let me consult with my experts and I'll be able to have a reply for that request."

[Planning meeting]

I started, "We have a secret research project in Section 31. Dr. Adam Soong has been trying to isolate the genetic basis of magic. He has been running experiments that some would consider unethical, creating genomes and raising children. So far each experiment has had flaws that resulted in very short lifespans or severe disabilities. They have all been treated well, and we do not regard existence itself as a crime, even if not an ideal existence.

He could add Denobulans to that research, and presumably our allies might also want to be part of that research."

Hermione asked, "Why is it so difficult to isolate the magic genes?"

I answered, "It isn't just one gene. We have also concluded that there is an unknown aspect to magic accepting a new magical. It is not simple, as you know magicals can be born from non-magicals, but usually we can find magicals in their ancestry. Pureblood magicals can have those with very little magic, which were previously called squibs .

The key concept, in addition to genetics, is magic needs to accept."

Andorian Bynil said, "We were briefed about this, and agreed that it could be kept secret.

At this time, however, we want Alliance help to research the origin of the Aenar and the Andorians to understand why one has some magic and the other does not. We also would want Dr. Soong to see if he can bring magic to Andorians."

Armand Malfoy said, "We know that magic is not limited to Earth. Andoria has magic, while its people seem to have split into two different groups a long time ago, one with and one without magic.

We also know that Human magic does not require being born on Earth. Some magicals have been born in space and there has already been accidental magic at around the expected numbers. There was one child born of magicals on Tellar, but it is too soon to know if he will show magic."

Bynil asked, "I have some questions about Canon. You said that existence is not a crime. However, in Canon it often is. At the very least Humans who were genetically engineered were not allowed to be in Starfleet and had various limitations placed on their lives. You could say it had to do with unfair competition, and yet Vulcans were allowed to serve in Starfleet, even with some natural advantages over Humans.

Were we directed by Q to follow Canon or not?"

Q popped in, dressed like they were, and said, "Excellent deductive reasoning Mr. Andorian. And yes, I am being sarcastic, which you also probably do not understand.

Clearly I intended this timeline to differ from Canon. I did mention that the timeline attracts Canon. For that matter, so did the original Star Trek Canon. Time travel there resulted in almost the same events happening later. The Mirror Universe was different yet eerily similar. So being similar in surfaces is helpful to reduce the pressure on the timeline. Real differences in depth might not be as offensive to the timeline. Just study the Mirror Universe to see how it can work."

Daphne asked, "So this attraction to Canon is part of the nature of the Star Trek Universe, not something that you added to it."

Q said a very prolonged and amused, "Yes", and then added "Ice Princess."

Daphne added, "And people who look identical to Canon characters are a clue to us that they are important?"

Q added, "Both in Canon, and my additions to this timeline. I find it amusing."

Bynil asked, "If I would be allowed a question, Q, sir?" He seemed to hesitate as to how to address Q.

Q answered "Yes, get on with it. I do not require honorifics or bowing to the ground or whatever else you are expecting."

Bynil asked, "You mentioned that Humans might eventually join the Q. What about Andorians?"

Q answered, "As you are now, no. With evolution, and much later? The possibility exists. If your next question is predictably whether genetic engineering would be acceptable to the Q, the answer is yes. Origins are interesting, but being engineered would not be a disqualification.

To understand the Q better, all you need to do is carefully watch the parts of Canon that involve the Q. Don't read too much into those invited to the Q in Canon. The Q want societal evolution this go around. Your petty concerns make you not Q material. Your role is to set the stage for a much more broadminded future. Any yet, none of what you do will matter if your descendants are quashed by the Borg. That would be an evolutionary dead end.

So, yes, Andorians as they might be, not as they are. The same for the rest of your collection of species. Humans have more immediate potential, but not as they think today.

Which reminds me, it is 2024 again. You can just discount what I did in that year to me not feeling well. I need to visit Renée to make it up to her.

One last thing, Khan, promote her as needed for her mission, you'll know what it is when she visits you."

Khan answered, "I also felt we did her a disservice by conducting her Canon mission in 2012, when she was too young to be a part of it. I am intrigued to learn what mission you would have for her."

Q answered, "Impress me. You decide her mission, which will launch in 2024.

Also, you had some interesting ideas in something you said in Space Seed."

Q then played an audio of Khan saying "although your abilities intrigue me, you are quite honestly inferior. Mentally, physically. In fact, I am surprised how little improvement there has been in human evolution. Oh, there has been technical advancement, but, how little man himself has changed." and then "Nothing ever changes, except man. Your technical accomplishments? Improve a mechanical device and you may double productivity but improve man and you gain a thousandfold."

Q then disappeared.

Khan said, "Continuing with our decision. Magic is clearly part of the technology we offer as part of an alliance. I expect that many non-magical humans will decide to have magical children if this ability becomes available to them."

[Meeting with the Denobulan delegation on Earth]

"We agree."

Phlox answered, "Excellent. We will of course assist in your efforts. We actually have the most experience in genetic manipulation among any presently in the Alliance."