Brey POV
My talk with the President took a long time and there were points that were difficult. I feel completely out of my depth. I was never trained as an ambassador. It is so hard to believe that is the role my species needs of me. I spent the entire conversation with the President praying to Latier that I would not say or do anything to screw up. After all it was my twins life as well as the survival of my species .
We worked the plan out and agreed that even though there were many steps for it to all go well, each step of the plan we were confident would be able to complete without a taterin. The first step was that a shuttle with me and my twin would come to the surface at night to a large landing area belonging to one person. There is a large structure there that the shuttle can be placed in, so no civilians were exposed. They want to keep us a secret until they believe their world can handle the information and not panic.
The second step was agreed that the male would be brought to us there. Our responsibility in the Last step would be for him to return with us to the ship. The steps that we needed to take were only part of a full team plan between the surface and the stars.
We were made aware that there was going to be a lot of work in this and a "cover" for his life on Earth would have to be implemented if he chose to stay in space. If he was disagreeable to being in space, then it would rest with us to impress upon the male the importance of the mating bond to solidify. As there would have to be Surface Confinement until the new complex could be completed and even after that the Complex would not be "Known" to the rest of the Planet.
The president had made a valid point that if this has happened once it could happen again. I agreed and he proposed an "amendment" to our treaty. This amendment was to be a mating clause they said, and it was decided that all parties involved, Amiterans and Earthlings that found their biological other half would be given a choice of remaining in space or living in a separated complex community here on Earth where all biological functions would be monitored for the care and advancement of both species.
Because there could be losses to their population that of course would need to be explained or "Covered up" according to the president. The exchange that would be required is that the Amiterans will build the community on Earth and supply all of the same current technology we use to that community. I had to negotiate an allowance that our weapons were too advanced at this time, and we did not want to be noted as the species that came to Earth and took over or allowed great loss of life to secure ours.
It was agreed that the technology supplied to the community would be released to the masses under the guidance and discretion of the Leaders of the Country. The president explained that this treaty would be reviewed by another leader that will hold his position in a year or so. He said that he was elected to his position by the people of his country and to keep a balance in power the leaders were rotated into and out of their positions by an election held about each.
He said that because it was up to the people, he did not know who would follow him into that position and it would be best if the treaty were what Earth considered a binding agreement of both parties. He also explained that there were other countries on his planet that did not operate in the same way and so in later times it would need to be decided if they would be able to be added to the treaty if a mate happened to be located in that country. As a provision to the treaty all new leaders added must promise a permanent alliance to both original parties of the treaty.
When the treaty was finalized, and all our current scientific findings were ready, I sent a transmission home. The next few hours were devoted to the coordination of the human and my twin meeting. By Shetas' condition it was clear we needed to get her to him soon. Wilki was continuing to monitor Sheta and the hope was that the medication administered would slow the progression of the Mating Sickness. Wilki said that they could expect no better than a lengthening of her survival time of no more than one Amiterain day. From the moment I held my twin in my arms when she returned to the ship I have been praying to Latier with each breath for her to have her mate and be well.
The shuttle was fueled and ready to leave when our only navigator Yurnda sent a chirp to my comm to tell me that the Vaulted Council was hailing, and they demanded I speak with them. Outraged I asked "Now? Right now? I have to see to my twin." The navigator said, "They are insistent Captain."
The only solution I could think of was to comm Alerit. When his face was on the screen, I asked him "Brother, do you remember the first day of our mission when you said you would help Sheta?" He replied "I have not shown signs of the memory loss affliction. So yes, I remember." With his affirmation I told him "Good. She needs that help now." I watched his eyes go wide and he asked "She is in Dire need? " Replying to him I said "Brother, I fear for her and my heart is crumbling." With a sharp nod of his great horned head, he said " As she is yours, she is mine. I will flash over. Be ready."
While walking to my office I sent a transmission to the surface. They needed to be aware of the change of male guardian for my sister. In that communication it was not surprising to me that I had spoken with one of the Presidents Ambassadors who said that they would make all of the arrangement changes that were needed. That done I began preparing myself for the conversation with the Vaulted Council at home.
What could they possibly want? I know that I sent the transmission update hours ago and they could have responded almost instantly. What more could they possibly need from me? These were my thoughts as I entered my office to open the comm transmission link so that I could speak with the Vaulted Council in real time.
Upon opening the link I was faced with Turendal the Keeper of Records for the Vaulted Council. He had a grave look on his weathered and wrinkled face, but there was a light shining in his eyes that gave a feeling of manic glee. He had left his hair long and it had been going white since before my graduation from the academy. His horns were even showing the man's age all of his growth rings on his long waving horns had turned white and the straight white age lines through the length of the horns beginning at the base and moving up the horn in sporadic long and short lines proclaimed he was one of the oldest of our race.
The fact that he was the only one on the comm meant that their Vaulted Council had made a decree. He was the one to give it and it was to be obeyed without question. This made me extremely nervous.
When he spoke his voice matched his age. Gravely and low in tone. Almost a whispered hiss. "Greetings under Latier's Grace Captain." I replied as expected of all our people. " Greetings under Latier's Grace Keeper. How can I serve?"
Turnedal smiled. I felt the chill of Dread race down my tail from base to tip, making my tail quiver involuntarily. I attempted to keep my features blank and show no reaction as the Keeper began to tell me how I was to sabotage our mission.