Emissary of Peace

By Wolfgang Gosler

Emissary of Peace is a science fiction novel about an ambassador, named T'Lars. He is also a scientist and a computer geek. The central government of the Varangian Confederacy sends him on an important mission, which is, in actuality, three missions in one. The mission lasts many months, since it involves travel for many thousands of light years to distant parts of the galaxy. He is assigned to travel with Commander L'Qwan, who commands the Confederate Star Ship L'Thor, and Subcommander T'Larissa, who is second in command. The L'Thor is named after the hero of an ancient interstellar battle from many centuries ago.

The first assignment is to investigate a mysterious rogue space ship, which entered the galaxy through a wormhole. During the course of the investigation, they get help from allies, called the Tivoli Republic. The Tivoli are intelligent cats, that assist the ambassador, by towing the rogue ship to the Tivoli-Varangian border. The investigation results in the uncovering of ancient mysteries, involving the origins of the Varangians. Historical facts are uncovered from archives found on that ship. These archives were left on that rogue ship by a people distantly related to the ancestors of the Varangians. This assignment results in having some ancient mysteries solved. At the same time, new mysteries emerge.

They are about to proceed with the second assignment of the mission, when, unexpectedly, advanced beings transport them to the Andromeda Galaxy. This results in deviations from the original mission plan. In the process, they learn about the fate of ancient allies of the Varangian ancestors, and how they ended up in the Andromeda Galaxy. These ancient allies are the Iripini, who were victims of a viral biological attack. They were an ill-fated people, who died off. The L'Thor was investigating the remains and artifacts of their civilization.

During the course of the investigation, they encounter two alien species, and Ambassador T'Lars ends up brokering a peace between those alien species. The result is good, where the former Iripini planet ends up in good hands of the two alien species, who agree to a joint and shared control of the planet.

After the advanced beings transport the L'Thor back to the Milky Way Galaxy, they end up closer to Earth, where they are able to proceed with their assignment. They visit Earth as part of an assigned scientific team. On Earth, the year is 2042 AD. Without interfering in any of the political affairs of Earth at the time, as instructed, they collect voluminous amounts of botanical, zoological, geological, cultural, and historical information. This assignment brings them to many countries on most continents around the world. They come into contact with many cultures around the world and even make several friends. They explore tropical rain forests, deserts, and other habitats. They learn about Earth's history. They also learn that the humans and Varangians share some genetic material, which opens up another mystery.

The last assignment of this mission is to negotiate a peace treaty with another superpower in the galaxy, the Federation of Incorporated Planets. This part of the assignment is always problematic, because of the nature of how the Federation is run. It is run like a corporation! He succeeds at drawing up the peace treaty, because of the _convenient_ nature of the trade agreements, linked to the stipulations of the treaty. Beyond that the Federation's central government seems to display a strong disinterest.

In the end, all aspects of the mission result in overall success, but as some ancient mysteries are solved, other mysteries, and potential ancient threats, remain. Not all problems can be solved so easily!

Various themes are expressed, involving issues of war and peace, environmental issues, philosophy, history, and political affairs. Various civilizations are introduced with a wide spectrum of levels of advancement. Behind it all, Ambas

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 21, 2005
• ISBN: 9781462838066

Wolfgang Gosler

Wolfgang Golser lives in Tucson, Arizona, located in the Sonoran Desert. With interests in science, he pursued degrees in biology, biochemistry, physics, and engineering. He is an avid hiker, backpacker, mountain climber, and world traveler. Because of his interests in understanding the various cultures around the world and Earth’s various ecosystems, he set out to travel to many countries of the world. He also has strong interests in history and philosophy, as well as hobbies in astronomy and geology. He has been intrigued by the wettest and driest places on Earth, many of which he has traveled to.

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Copyright © 2005 by Wolfgang Golser.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either

are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and

any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is

entirely coincidental.

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Contents

CHAPTER 1

THE CALLING

CHAPTER 2

ATTACK!

CHAPTER 3

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?

CHAPTER 4

THOSE THAT VISIT GET A VISITOR

CHAPTER 5

THE DEPARTURE

CHAPTER 6

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

CHAPTER 7

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

CHAPTER 8

ONE DOWN! MORE TO GO!

CHAPTER 9

REQUIEM FOR A LOST PEOPLE

CHAPTER 10

WHOSE PLANET IS THIS?

CHAPTER 11

THE RETURN HOME

CHAPTER 12

EARTH BOUND

CHAPTER 13

ARRIVAL

CHAPTER 14

EARTH HAS KNOWN MANY RISES AND FALLS!

CHAPTER 15

REVELATIONS!

CHAPTER 16

NEPAL! MOUNTAIN KINGDOM OF THE HIMALAYA!

CHAPTER 17

A SHORT VISIT TO THAILAND!

CHAPTER 18

THE TIME SHIP

CHAPTER 19

JAPAN! LAND OF THE RISING SUN!

CHAPTER 20

MEANWHILE! BACK AT THE RANCH

CHAPTER 21

MEANWHILE! BACK ON EARTH

CHAPTER 22

AMERICA’S NATURAL WONDERS

CHAPTER 23

A PHOENIX RISES OUT OF THE ASHES!

CHAPTER 24

BACKPACKING THE GRAND CANYON

CHAPTER 25

RENDEZVOUS AT THE FRONTIER!

CHAPTER 26

THE CRITICAL NEGOTIATIONS

CHAPTER 27

LOOSE ENDS

Dedication

Dedicated to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is world-renowned. It has elements of a zoo, a natural history museum, and a botanical garden, all in one place! With its exhibits of live animals in astonishingly natural settings, it has enchanted millions of visitors from all over the world! This Museum has gained a worldwide reputation, in the scientific community, as an institution committed to researching and protecting the land, plants, and the animals of the Sonoran Desert region. Last, it has inspired people to live in harmony with the natural world!

CHAPTER 1

THE CALLING

It was a great day! An important environmental convention was in

session, with many delegates from all the planets, represented in the Confederacy, attending. There were several ambassadors and other delegates from outside the Confederacy also present. The bright white star of the Varangian home world was shining intensely, yet the breeze from the sea made the weather to be exceedingly comfortable to fit the occasion. This convention was to seal the fate of a tropical planet, recently admitted into the Confederacy. I walked up the stairs to the podium, as I was about to address those assembled.

The Minister of the Department of Planetary Environmental Conservation called me to speak, It is my pleasure to present, Ambassador T’Lars. As many of you may know, Ambassador T’Lars has a distinguished career in various scientific disciplines. He has also been involved with many scholarly and scientific research expeditions outside of the Confederacy. Being also a historian, he was instrumental in organizing the scientific and historical archives at the central Varangian Library. As he speaks, he would like to emphasize the need to recognize the newly admitted planet, Ree’van, as a planetary natural habitat park. My preference is to keep Ree’van in a pristine state, and Ambassador T’Lars supports this effort. I will now turn the podium over to him and allow you to hear what he has to say.

Thank you, Minister, for your kind words! I wish to also thank you all for inviting me to speak. Then, I wish to thank the Council of High Ministers for giving an attentive ear to the various sides of the issues, regarding Ree’van! It is greatly appreciated!—Here, I would like to present reasons, why the planet Ree’van should be kept in its pristine state. The problem involves the strong possibility of encroachment by various commercial interests from outside of the Confederacy upon that planet. Here, I speak specifically of certain corporate interests from the V’endi’i and—potentially worse—the Federation of Incorporated Planets!

The crowd applauded.

For example—V’endi’i Terraforming, Incorporated, presented their models for, what they call, improving, the planet! It would involve removal of the vegetation on two of the mini-continents. As most of you are well aware, Ree’van is a planet that is ninety-two percent covered with water, and the landmasses consist of three mini-continents and many islands. Since that planet only has a three-degree tilt of its axis, it has a very moderate and tropical climate for the entire year. There are no polar ice caps on the planet. The planet Ree’van has been known to us for several centuries, and the small population of that planet has freely elected to become a member planet of the Confederacy, because they trust us to be good stewards of their natural habitats. We must never—and—I must emphasize—NEVER—violate that trust!

The crowd, especially, the Ree’van delegation, gave a standing ovation.

Yes! The Ree’van people have had several options—but they chose this membership, because I visited their planet. As ambassador, I made it clear to them that the jungles of the planet Ree’van should not be treated as something, which is in the way. This is for a fundamental reason that Nature is not an adversary to conquer and destroy! It is a storehouse of vast knowledge and experience! Conserving the natural environment is essential for our future well-being!

There was more applause from the audience.

With the design plans of V’endi’i Terraforming, there would be a major exploitation of the planet! We can NOT allow that! In their sales pitch, V’endi’i Terraforming declares that their commercial activities would provide for the economic development of the planet. Not true! As an example, clearcutting and stripping of the lands would have the negative effect of displacing the people from their lands. We can’t allow that! Although business contractors are given great liberties, there are rules, which need to be followed! It is like any one of us, who drives down the streets. We are free to drive the streets, but there are traffic rules, road signs, and traffic lights, which must be respected. V’endi’i Terraforming has not shown any willingness to abide by Confederate laws. They have shown less of an interest for the wishes of the inhabitants of Ree’van! I have THIS message for V’endi’i Terraforming: ‘Pack your things and leave! OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS ARE THERE TO SERVE US! WE DO NOT SERVE THEM!’

The crowd roared in applause.

As the Ree’van people wish to retain their right of self-determination, as part of the Confederacy, we, as a Confederacy, wish to remain independent of outside political and corporate interests. Now, as far as the fate of Ree’van is concerned, as requested by the governing council of Ree’van, ninety-nine point five percent of the land will remain undeveloped. Institutes of Research, Learning and Education shall be maintained and expanded! Ecotourism will be encouraged! Much remains to be learned about the geology, biology, and natural history of the planet. Commercial exploitation will NOT be permitted! The only commercial enterprise, which will be allowed, is that which will be of benefit—or, at least, not harm the natural environment in any way! I hope that all of you represented here will elect to proceed with this plan, as I have outlined. Thank you all for your attention!

The conclusion of my speech resulted in another standing ovation.

Several hours later, the High Commissioner of Interplanetary Affairs—T’Ron—and I met at the central plaza, several blocks away from the convention site. You did well, Ambassador T’Lars! Your speech convinced those, who were on the fence, to protect Ree’van! The council has, unanimously, decided to go with the plan to protect the natural ecosystem of Ree’van! We should celebrate!

Yes! I replied, This is an occasion worth celebrating! How did the representatives from V’endi’i Terraforming respond?

They not only were disappointed—They decided to return home! Of course, this doesn’t affect the political relationship between the Confederate and V’endi’i governments in any way, but we won’t be hearing from that particular corporation anymore. V’endi’i Terraforming does have a couple pending contracts with the Federation of Incorporated Planets. As you very well know from history, the Federation and the Confederacy have not been on the best of terms for the past thousand years.

Oh! Yes! For sure!

Which leads me to tell you that you will be getting another assignment! You will be going on another mission! With your scientific and diplomatic skills, you are most qualified for this mission!

Thank you, Commissioner T’Ron!

Even while we were heavily engaged in the discussions, regarding Ree’van, there are other things of paramount importance that are transpiring! Perhaps you may have heard reports from one of our scientific expeditions about twelve thousand light years outside of Confederate space. There was an unstable wormhole, which opened up. This warrants investigation!

It happens that I also have knowledge of such phenomena, and I have even explored one!

I am aware! And you have even presented a colloquium at the Confederate Academy of Sciences!

In fact, our entire species—to save ourselves from a grave danger—emigrated from a galaxy about two billion light years away. An entire fleet of tens of thousands of starships passed through the wormhole and ended up in this galaxy!

These are events, which occurred over one thousand two hundred years ago.

The fortunate thing is that the wormhole on the end, which we came out of, was unstable; otherwise, we would have been pursued by those threats!

Of course, there is much that is public knowledge, but there is so much more!—There is more that I would like to tell you! For that, I would like to have you attend a joint meeting with the Minister of the Confederate State Department.

Gladly! I will attend!

I’ll give you specifics, tomorrow. Get some rest!—And don’t worry about anything! I know that you ARE the right man for this assignment! I’ll see you tomorrow! Have a good day!

You have a good day also!

CHAPTER 2

ATTACK!

Old Imperial Calendar—Year 3220 AIC.

It has been two years since the attack on the outpost of the

Ao’Rangian Imperium at Karoo-Seti. A new encroaching power, known as the Tetrarchy, began expansion into Imperium territory. It was an act of treachery, by originally presenting themselves as being peaceful. Those overtures of peace were only a lure to maneuver us into a position, where we were vulnerable at Karoo-Seti. The timing couldn’t have been worse, since the Ao’Rangians were also at war with the Krimm Empire. Worse, the Tetrarchy’s technology was more advanced than either the Ao’Rangian’s or Krimm’s by about fifty years. It was a perilous time indeed!

There was a ray of hope! We were expecting an invasion from the Tetrarchy, but it didn’t take too long to discover that the Tetrarchy was fighting an adversary—the Iripini. It was the Iripini, who sent us the original warning, regarding the Tetrarchy, with their true and devious intentions. If only we would have received that warning in time!

There was a second ray of hope! Because of some assistance from an agreement with the Kobron, a technological breakthrough provided needed improvements to some of our existing stealth technology. Being retrofitted with the Kobron technology, three fleets of warships were dispatched to attack a base ship from the Tetrarchy.

L’Kek was Commander of the ninth fleet. He had made contact with the Iripini about a year ago, when he learned about the original attempt by the Iripini to contact the Ao’Rangian High Command. The communication’s officer alerted L’Kek, Commander L’Kek! Exalted Commander T’Zhong received an encrypted message from the Iripini fleet. Captain Lucinda is bringing two of her ships to rendezvous! This means that we will have the second and seventh fleets and our fleet, plus two Iripini ships, lead an assault on a base ship!

L’Kek replied, Thank you for the update! What is the estimated time to rendezvous with our Iripini friends?

About five hours!

Excellent! We must, nevertheless, remember that we are fighting an enemy that is fifty years more advanced than us technologically. For fifty years we have been fighting the Krimm Empire—And numerous other adversaries—And they have technology comparable to ours. With this new enemy, the Tetrarchy, we are dealing with something far more powerful.

We are lucky to have the Iripini help us out. They, too, are fifty years more advanced than us.

We do have one advantage!

You mean our stealth technology?

When I spoke with Lucinda, she mentioned that despite the fact that both the Tetrarchy and Iripini are more advanced than any of the civilizations in our region of the binary galaxies, neither of them have invested in stealth technology.

Is it possible that they didn’t see the need for it?

I think it is possible; although, Lucinda would know more about that!

Would it be possible for the base ship to detect us despite our stealth technology?

Yes! It may be possible! The Krimm can’t penetrate our stealth technology. As for the Tetrarchy, we had to do some improvising.

How?

We have another friend—The Kobron. They have only recently learned about the Tetrarchy themselves, and they provided us with a technology, called a polaron enhancement device.

Is that the technology, which will provide enhancement of our stealth devices?

Yes! That may give us an edge over that base ship!

I am receiving a communication from Exalted Commander T’Zhong!

Patch it through on the viewing screen!

Exalted Commander T’Zhong appeared on the screen, "Greetings! Our three fleets are assembled together. We are proceeding in a direction twenty-six light years from Karoo-Seti, deep into the Tetrarchy. We are expecting to rendezvous among some asteroids in the Tim-Mir system with the