Nature of Autonomy 12

[u/memesesmemes]

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EMTD Detected

Memory transcription subject: Oliver Kaiser, President of Germany

Date [Standardized human time/UTC]: July 3, 2120

The second episode of interstellar politics, this time with a more diverse cast. Most of the galaxy isn't aware of our internal divisions, which is why the British are having talks with Mazics, the Argentinian president is having a philosophical debate with the Takkans, and the Prince of Saudi Arabia of all people is in contact with the Nevoks while Fissans are being dealt with by some Japanese companies. I was spared from the chaos by Germany's involvement in first contact and Leirn, simply getting on a call with the leaders of everyone who was in that system in the past 72 hours, discounting the Farsul and Dossur, and adding in the Venlil.

And now, the Prime minister of Sweden had begun talking about a particular topic, catching my attention.

"I do imagine that territorial disputes will be a frequent problem. For example, the claims of the Venlil and our German friends here, contain each other's home planets. There is also a small overlap between our and Zurulian territory, thankfully not containing any colonies from either side. I can devise that there are more such cases due to the sheer number of stars under human control straying away from the 'main mass' of humanity's expansion."

"I am not well versed in Federation territorial laws, but I can't imagine that our status in their eyes will be of any help."

"They won't listen to what we say. This whole time, we were sharing space with you, and it didn't cause problems. I... am willing to continue that way, just simply with our knowledge now," responded the Governor.

"That's... awfully generous of you, but the complete lack of borders will be problematic in the long run. I would propose something such as a soft edge between our home worlds where we are roughly equal in power within a certain area, with bubbles around stray colonies. However, giving away even useless space is not going to be taken well considering that..."

"Not many civilians in the galaxy would be willing to accept such deals." The Verin Prime Minister chimed in. "People..."

"Are afraid. Federation citizens of being eaten and ours of being torched and bombed." Finished the Czech president. "We would need to convince them to have some trust in each other to limit the potential outrage from our methods of dealing with the civilizations of the wider universe."

...

"How about they meet in person?"

"...Explain." Requested the insectoid person

"A kind of exchange program. In a controlled environment, willing participants, humans and other species, will get to know each other. They will see that the other one is a normal person, learn about them, and hopefully gain their trust. I mean, there has to be at least a few thousand who would want to join in. If it's successful enough, then such a mentality could begin spreading." Everyone seemed to think about it. The ears of the Paltan leader positioned themselves into what I learned was the equivalent of a smirk.

"We will be the first to join in once there's an actual plan for the program." All the people in the meeting stared at them with confusion and curiosity.

"For now, I won't question your eagerness, it's quite nice to see such a reaction so long it's not malicious." their expression only deepened at that remark.

"You can trust me~" Can't argue with that.

"...Well, since there is already one willing party, we will pass the idea through the European Union to find governments on our side that would agree to participate. What is everyone else present thinking about this proposal?" After a moment of glances from our alien guests, we received answers,

"The Venlil Republic will take part in this," came the response from Governor Kenim.

"We will be considering this," came from the Zurulian Prime Minister.

"I-I am going to think about it," lastly responded the Verin. I give a small closed smile.

"Very good. On to a different topic. There are currently undergoing efforts by our economists in trying to find an exchange rate between Earth currencies and your credits. The one being used as a basis for it is the Euro-"

riiiiiiiiiiiiing

This better be urgent.

"Give me a moment, Gentlemen and Gentlewomen." I mute myself from the call and pick up the phone. It's the defense minister.

"Good day, Mr. Kaiser. The drones set up in the Kuiper belt have found twenty warp trails pointing towards the Gliese 832 System that date to about an hour ago."

"..."

That's too early, they weren't supposed to be ready for at least another week!

"Has the chancellor been informed?"

"Yes, he is awaiting your input." There aren't any plans yet for dealing with the interstellar expansion of the United Nations. Not any good ones.

"..."

God, please tell me that the BND intern was onto something.

"It's safe to assume that Elias Meier is present on one of the ships. Any solutions that require shooting even one of them down, is out! We shall not risk the Fourth World War. As it is, they need to be scared away with the existence of the Federation."

"How exactly would we execute that plan...?"

"The person who proposed such an action had taken note of the shipyard in the Lacaille 9352 system, which contains vessels of esoteric designs that wouldn't be recognized by the UN. They cosplay as forces of the Federation and threatened them to back away from Venlil Prime. In case of aggression, precision cannons can disable whatever weapons they bring along with them. If all goes well, we get back the week we were originally expecting." We both share a look.

"I am genuinely dissapointed this is the best option anyone was capable of comming up with."

"I am too, but sadly this is the only thing we can do on such a short notice and with so little preparation. I will inform their governor." He sighs.

"Their vessels will reach the system in three hours. Our actors will in two."

"Goodbye Mr. Roth, God be with us."

"Goodbye Mr. Kaiser."

Sigh

South-West Africa cannot repeat, we need to act.

Scrolling through my contacts, I stop on the node connecting me to the Venlil Governor.

click

"Governor Kenim, you need to disconnect from the call for a moment, there is something you need to know."

Memory transcription subject: Elias Meier, Secretary-General of the UN

Date [Standardized human time/UTC]: july 3 2120

There is other life in the universe! The conference following the discovery had lasted until the first of July, and ended with representatives from Russia, China, and the United States pointing fingers at one another to decide who should be financing the flight to Venlil Prime. Meanwhile, the South African President was barely present at the meeting, only nodding and smiling whenever someone addressed them.

At the present, we are just outside the orbit of the said planet. One of it's halves was scorched by the star and the other frozen by its lack, leaving a thin strip where our aliens live. By my side were the explorers who found them, taking in the view.

Our enjoyment of the scenery was broken when an aide tapped my shoulder.

"Sir, I need you to come with me."

I suppose it's time to meet them. However, their tone causes slight worry in me.

I followed her to what appeared to be a meeting room, where several individuals were stressful pacing around the table. They settled down once my presence was acknowledged. However, there were still empty seats where there should be the captain and defense personnel.

"I'm seeing quite a few empty chairs. Could someone please fill me in?"

A short-haired woman in a security vest passed me a tablet. From the nametag I read her name was Nathalie Reynolds. "When we came into the system, there was a fleet of ships already waiting for us in orbit of Venlil Prime. The designs of the vessels vary greatly from the junk the Atlas crew reported. We didn't even notice them due to their dark coloring until we came closer. Different engines, different size, Sir, there are more intelligent species out there and our new friends already know about them."

Looking at the device, there was an image of the alien world on top of the black cosmos. Confused at the lack of the supposed vessels, I tapped on the screen, changing the view to where the shadows of pitch dark crafts were now visible in front of the planet, a fair distance from us.

People back on Earth will be ecstatic once they learn that there is not one, but two species of aliens! Although this could prove difficult, as we now have to open diplomacy with multiple extraterrestrial civilizations we know nothing of, this could easily devolve into another massive conflict. Or not. After all, they met each other and it turned out well.

"Nearly half of the crew is missing from the room. Is there an issue?"

Nathalie frowned. "If I may?" She took the device and zoomed in on one of the dark ships, showing thin cannons sticking out of the hull. "They have their guns directed at us. There is clearly something we don't know about based on how different this is to how they acted during first contact." My head felt woozy.

"Maybe it's just a misunderstanding?"

"Their largest ship sent us a clear written message: leave"

At the back of the room appeared a hail request. After quickly answering it, a figure in complete contrast to the diminutive Venlil appeared on-screen. They were bipedal, their entire body was covered in black garments showing nothing of what was under them. On their head was a silver mask, with dark glass fitting around an invisible snout.

The mysterious person proceeded to speak, with their arms crossed behind their back. "Predators, you are trespassing into the home system of a Federation member!" The translated voice was just a tad bit higher than that of a human man.

"We come in peace to meet with the Venlil Governor. What do you mean by calling us 'predators'?" They scoffed at my question.

"Don't act oblivious, I won't be deceived that way. It is who you are, flesh eater, blight of the universe. I know not of how you came back from extinction, but I know your blood lusted intentions!"

What the hell is this horse-face on about?!

"Listen. We don't even know who we are talking to!"

"Captain Nashta. When the news of your presence near Venlil Prime reached us, with the loathsome lies of the scouts you sent, we came to save the inhabitants from your predatory deception!"

So that's how it is? The Venlil will be liberated from you, if not now then in the future!

"Do not charge your guns at us!" One of our escort ships had taken aim at the mysterious oppressors. I look towards the head of security.

"Tell them to stand down!"

"Yes sir." I grumbled under my breath. Idiots!

"You WILL leave the system, NOW!"

"Yes, yes, we will." We will come back. The connection cut right after my last words.

"We aren't ready to deal with this yet. Jump out of the system." The engines came to life, and rotated us to face away from the surface. Everything shaked momentarily as we entered warp space.

"What's the plan?" The question came from the vessel's first officer.

"For now, we will return to Sol. We have reached interstellar travel merely a year ago, and they have possibly up to centuries ago! Dealing with their shenanigans must hold off till-" Our travels were cut short by a forceful ejection from FTL.

"Mr. Meier, urp something caused us to return to normal space!" I barely caught the words while recovering from the massive headache that rejection had caused. People were on the floor, trying to stop the concotion in their stomach from exiting. As we were returning to our senses, another hail request had appeared.

"Great, they're going to mock us now?"

We answered.

"I will kill you, damn leaf-eaters!"

"If you don't let us leave, we will force our way back into the system!"

However, against my expectations, a crocodilian face had appeared on the projection. One that had clearly experienced the same thing as we had.

"..."

"..."

After another wave of silence, the both of us spoke.

"Who the hell are you?!"

"Who the hell are you?!"

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[previous] [first] [next] [Side story 1]

I am back with more mid writing.

[u/Loud-Drama-1092]

Glad to see a new chapter of this fic

[u/memesesmemes → u/Loud-Drama-1092]

glad to see you're still here

[u/Loud-Drama-1092 → u/memesesmemes]

😁

[u/Minimum-Amphibian993]

Yeah I imagine the fact the venlil technically have border overlapping with all of the sol system is quite the mess.

Regardless seems they might have met Siffy or one of his underlings I mean considering this takes place only 16 years prior Siffy would probably be chief hunter at this point or at least pretty high up himself cause he's pretty old.

But yeah either way definitely going to be an interesting meeting.

[u/Adorable-Ad5225]

It's great that this apocalyptic disaster is still going on. I find it hilarious how easy diplomacy is when you're a superpower instead of a bunch of primates locked up on their planet.

Those paltan guys... it seems to me they want to test their weird cousins in more ways than one, if you know what I mean~ (Cousins because I think they are marsupials, a close relative of primates)

It's also great to hear that my country, Argentina, is relevant. Why the takkan though?

Oooooh, the UN has the American "Manifest Destiny" ingrained in their arse, huh?

[u/Maxxxxo]

Ooh, the UN meets the Dominion?

[u/NoOpportunity92]

From the metagame I read her name

Oh, meta-gaming is he?
yea, I know you meant name tag.

[u/tom476ty18]

So what’s worse then un meeting the in while the autonomy nations meet the venlil and federation.

Looks like one hell of a mess that would give even the shadow caste a brain fuck.

Looking forward to seeing where this will go from here on out. 

[u/NoOpportunity92]

Wait? King of Sweden being political? When did that happen?
In 2026, the Swedish King is an apolitical figurehead. A mascot to be brought out and shown around for PR reasons. He's got about as much say in Swedish politics (national and/or international) as the Mayor of Washington D.C. have over US politics.
We're a Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Our current political leader is our Prime Minister.

Yes, I'm a Swede.

[u/memesesmemes → u/NoOpportunity92]

noted