Chapter 13
***King Siefer***
King Siefer had been informed by Alexis and Nabvan of the actions being taken on Earth. He had also received the recordings Nancy had made of the interviews. He summoned Scyon, and they listened to them together. Though only a child, Scyon's impressions of the interviews were vital to the future of Milisaria. His mind must be shaped to protect the interests of his home planet for the day he would become its ruler. It was never too early to begin thelessons.
Scyon had caught one thing that interested him above all others in the interviews. He asked, "Will you allow Dayac to remain on Earth with thehuman?"
"What would you do, son?" The king wanted to see what was in his son's mind. Was he compassionate or did he haveprejudices?
Scyon's answer came without a moment of hesitation. "He should stay. If he loves her enough to defy you and possibly suffer a punishment for it, he must remain with her. It would destroy his usefulness to Milisaria if he was forced to give her up. His hatred for us would be harmful. Besides, I would not wish to be thought of as a meanking."
King Siefer smiled. "You have a brilliant and intuitive mind, Scyon. Your human genes have given you the intelligence we were once lacking. Your mother has taught me many things and increased my empathy toward others, but to you, it all comes naturally. I want you to stay while I reach out to Arkani, Reptilar, and Voltuni. It is our job to negotiate a peaceful resolution to their anger with Earth. You might like to see what the other species look like aswell."
Scyon asked, "Are you afraid they will attack Earth? Is Nexxasafe?"
"Attacking Earth is a possible choice for each planet,” the king began. "It would be detrimental to Earth, but also to the opposing planets. The leaders will study their options for a long time before they act hastily. Nexxa is safe. If I see trouble headed for Earth, I will make sure your friend and the others leave immediately. I care deeply about the blue planet, but our people must comefirst."
"Being king is hard, is it not,daddy?"
The king smiled again and replied, "It is the hardest job I have ever had, but you are up to the task. By the time you reach maturity, you will be a greater king than any we have known, including me. Now, push the red button on the screen control and then the number five. It will bring us the leader ofArkani."
Happy to be given such a big responsibility, Scyon booted up the screen and watched wide-eyed as the odd old man appeared. He was thin, sallow, and slimy, looking ancient to the young boy's eyes. To Scyon's further astonishment, the man had wings. The wise old Arkani saw the surprise in the child's eyes and said, "I know, my wings are shocking to you. But, no more than your four arms are to me. In a game, we would be considered even." Scyon giggled in response. He liked the alien's sense ofhumor.
King Siefer thanked the Arkani leader for taking the time to speak with him. Then their exchange became serious. The king asked, "Have you been apprised of the trouble onEarth?"
The Arkani replied, "It is more of the same that happened years ago. Experiments that harm other species cannot continue. We have shared our knowledge, technology, and medicines with the humans. There is no more of use that we can givethem."
"Do you have plans on how to handle the matter? Are you going toretaliate?"
"I am at a loss for how to handle things with their government,” came the Arkani's reply. "We are not a warring species. Our strengths lay in knowledge and healing. We just want to bring our injured home and livepeacefully."
"That is a good philosophy, but the rights of those from your world who have integrated with humans are also at stake. I want you to listen to recorded interviews of aliens on Earth and then I will explain how Milisaria is becoming involved. We too wish for a peaceful conclusion." King Siefer sat back and allowed the recordings to play through. Afterward, he said, "We have a delegation on Earth. They have been heard by the leaders of all the countries and Earth is in agreement that things must change. Committees are being formed to bring forth the changes. Are you willing to allow my contingent to negotiate on your citizens'behalf?"
The Arkani answered, "I am willing to let your people try. If they do not give my citizens the rights they deserve, I will send a negotiator to join the committees. If that does not work, we will force our people to return home and sever all ties with Earth, but we will not go towar."
"I need to know if all of your people have been accounted for. The Earth is being searched for other experimental labs. If all planets can account for their people, the search can stop and the government can focus on finding a solution to theconflicts."
"We have done an extensive search, not just of numbers of citizens, but by name. With the ones recently discovered in the labs, all are accounted for. The search may end." The Arkani signedoff.
Next, King Siefer tuned in the Voltuni. Scyon gasped when the leader appeared. They were a beautiful species. Their skin appeared as if made of shiny ebony, with lightning bolts running constantly over their bodies. Their hair was silver and their blue eyes swirled like thecosmos.
"I know why you have summoned us,” the Voltuni leader began. "More experimental labs were found on Earth. We had very few of our citizens involved. Our relationship with the planet is limited, and few of us have chosen to stay there. Unlike the other aliens, we have not made colonies on the planet. Our world is too unique to replicate on Earth. Those of us that have integrated can easily be extracted and broughthome."
King Siefer asked, "And if you do extract your people, will you then attack Earth in response to theiractions?"
"The Voltuni are a solitary species. We only interact with others to trade or gain technology. War with any planet, especially with Earth and its capabilities, would be folly. We want only to be left alone as much aspossible."
"Will you listen to the recordings that were made in the recovery center? One of your own females was there and wishes to returnhome."
The Voltuni nodded, "I will listen, but it will change nothing. We will retrieve the injured female and any others who desire to come home. A ship is hovering nearby. We will not join in negotiations. Any Voltuni who chooses to remain on Earth must negotiate forthemselves."
Once the recordings had finished, and the Voltuni leader was about to close the connection, the king said, "I have one last question. Are all of your species accountedfor?"
He answered, "Yes, we began a census the instant news came from Earth. We thought it best to see if more werelost."
The connection was broken. Scyon commented, "The Arkani are rather ugly on the outside, but kind inside. The Voltuni are very beautiful, but not verynice."
"That is very astute of you, son,” King Siefer stated. "That is why your mother repeats the old Earth adage: never judge a book by it's cover. What is inside us does not always show on the outside. It is a good and interesting lesson for all, especially a futureking."
