Phoenix Rising

By Alvin Council Jr.

Admiral K’torr is on a diplomatic mission with Princess A’duna at the White House when the compound is attacked by terrorist. As K’torr and his team rescue injured Secret Service agents and suppress the aggressors, he sustains multiple injuries, which he conceals until he collapses in the council chambers in critical condition.

This is a story of the meeting of Admiral K’torr and Princess A’duna, a love between them that they both try to resist because they believe it is not appropriate, K’torr’s recovery from life-threatening injuries, and the completion of their mission on Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796032475

Alvin Council Jr.

Alvin Council, a 22 year United States Navy veteran, has traveled the globe and from a child has always loved science fiction and looked to the stars. So, traveling with the military, it was no surprise that he would find himself on the weather decks of the ship staring at the stars at night wondering what else there was. He never fancied himself a writer. But, when the creative juices began to flow, he sat down and cranked out his first book.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

First Contact

A small shuttle landed on the South Lawn facing the White House. A slight rush of air caused the leaves on the trees to rustle. It looked like an eagle with it wings drawn in slightly. This shuttle was one of a kind and designed specifically to inspire awe in all that observed it. Two talon-shaped landing gears sunk into the soft ground. Her wings retracted as the bird-like head lowered to the ground. What would have been the eagle’s beak opened to become the forward landing support and a ramp. Nothing happened for at least two minutes.

The shuttle had been expected for three weeks. White House staff made extensive security plans and implemented multiple contingency plans specifically for this meeting. This historic and official first meeting between one of Earth’s governments and a representative of a alien race was well publicized since initial contact was made. The initial communications from the visitors were met with skepticism. But that ended when the visitor’s ship approached the international space station and was captured by the station’s cameras. The ship remained within visual range of the station for several hours trying to establish contact before descending.

The visitor’s ship was black as the night sky with no discernable signs of an engine, weapons, or any intake, exhaust or access ports. It was measured by station instrumentation to be approximately a mile in length, two hundred yards wide, and more than five stories tall. It was shaped like an almond, but its bottom was flattened. The upper half of the ship had identifiable viewing ports. There was a ship identification marking on the forward end. The bright grey lettering was specially illuminated and read PHOENIX.

There was a small delegation already standing behind the West Wing of the White House. A tall, well-groomed, grey haired man wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a blue tie stood at the center of the group. To his left were two older military men, generals. On his right was a woman in a dress and two more military men, a general and admiral. They showed a mix of emotions from excitement to anxiousness. It was to be expected since this was the first official meeting with an alien visitor, and no one knew what to expect. In the surrounding area, Secret Service men and women were dressed in varying levels of tactical clothing and weapons. Those closest to the delegation were dressed in suits with handguns tucked in their chest holsters under their jackets. While the larger weapons were positioned at fifty yard intervals and were locked-in on the craft and its opening.

The press and media as a whole had been purposefully excluded from this event for security reasons. Not one reporter was on the White House grounds. This was at the request of the visitors. As a result, reporters and their cameras crews lined the street across from the fence like a series of gun batteries. Beyond the news personnel were crowds of enthusiastic civilian spectators with their own cameras.

The tension on the ground was like a thick fog. The crew of the craft anticipated the additional security on the ground and planned for it. For a long moment, nothing appeared to happen as the craft powered down. Then, an antenna with a blue flashing light rose from a position centered between the wings and the nose of the craft. A transparent blue bubble enveloped the craft. It was a shield of some kind.

Ten guards filed down the boarding ramp. Each guard was approximately six feet tall carrying a holstered sidearm on their right hip, rifle slung from their right shoulder pointing at the ground on their left, a six-inch dagger mounted on their left breast, and a twenty-four by six inch metal plate mounted to the left hip. An electronic device was on their left forearm and a helmet which concealed their head. Their uniforms were black, blue, and grey camouflage with thick pads covering vital areas. None of their skin was exposed. Two females, Alpha Team, remained at the ramp, one on either side. Their uniforms had a five pointed star on each collar. The remaining eight, four male-female teams took up station at equal distant positions around the craft.

Another male-female team, the Command team, walked down the ramp. They walked to the edge of the bubble and stopped for a moment. The male figure looked from left to right scanning the area.

He signaled his partner. They began to communicate with each other. But, there were no sounds coming from them. But, they also had their heads completely concealed. Thoughts and feelings were being sent between them as they communicated telepathically. "They look nervous, as expected, "he said to her.

"Yes, most of them are look very concerned about us, she responded. She surveyed the surrounding area. Our weapons?"

"Agreed, I think we should leave our weapons, he recommended turning to her. He could feel her apprehension about his suggestion. It might make them a little more at ease."

"We should not be completely unarmed," she cautioned him.

"I did not intend on us being completely unarmed. You will keep your dagger, sword and Personal shield, he assured her. I will have my knives and personal shield."

"You have more planned, "she started. He finished her thought.

"I promised you that I would ensure your safety. And I will, he told her. Once we enter the White House, PHOENIX will descend over the Pentagon with very specific instructions. Should your life signs waiver for more than one minute, he paused placing his right hand on her left shoulder. PHOENIX will place a shield over the facility. Nothing in, nothing out, until your safety is confirmed. Warranted for a Princess," he said. She could feel his smile even though she couldn’t see it.

They turned toward each other and nodded. Then, they walked back to the ramp and positioning themselves at right angles to the ramp guards so the Secret Service personnel and delegation could observe them disarming. As they raised their weapons, the guards around the ship could see Secret Service personnel reaching for their weapons. In response, the ship’s guards knelt in unison with their muzzles resting on their knees as a precautionary measure.

Everyone be calm! They are just disarming themselves, said the lead delegate reassuringly to Secret Service Personnel.

The Command Team removed their rifles. The Alpha Team did an about-face and was now facing in the opposite direction. Command Team attached their rifles to the Alpha Team’s back plates.

Alpha Team returned to their original position and accepted the Command Team’s pistols. Once the Alpha Team holstered the weapons, Command and Alpha Teams saluted each other. Command Team walked back to the shield barrier. As they made contact with the shield, it seemed to disappear. But, it had not vanished. It had instantly reformed over everything within the White House fence. Everyone inside could see what was occurring outside the shield. But, those outside the shield could see nothing beyond the shield. Communications were unaffected.

Simultaneously, the guards stood, turned, and filed back into the ship. Command Team’s uniform changed. His uniform was showing six stars on each collar and a coat-of-arms on his left breast. Her uniform was more formal, more regal, with a gold trim and a crown on both collars.

The two delegations now advanced toward each other. Reaching forward with their right hands, the delegations offered to shake the hands in a show of friendship. Only the male member of the Command Team would lock hands with the delegation. As he shook each General’s and Admiral’s hand, the female Command Team member presented them with a ceremonial dagger she pulled from her partner’s belt. The dagger was presented with a formal bow and offered with both hands side-by-side palm up. Each of the men in turn bowed as they accepted the ornate gift. Thank you, said each General and Admiral as they accepted it.

The grey haired man that was in a black suit, white shirt and blue tie stepped forward to introduce himself. On behalf of the people of Earth I offer you greetings. He paused for a moment to shake his hand. I am President Thomas, leader of the United States and –. The male Command member raised his hand to stop the man’s introduction. The man calling himself President Thomas stopped talking as the male in front of him touched the side of his helmet. The helmet retracted in two inch sections like a convertible car top and tucked itself into his collar.

Mister President, I am called Admiral K’torr, Fleet Commander and Ambassador to Earth on behalf of her highness, Princess A’duna, he paused briefly. K’torr was a six foot tall light brown skinned man. His eyes were brown with a black pearl centered in them. His head was bald with a salt and pepper colored small mustache and hair that surrounding his mouth.

I find that in such matters it is best for us not to waste precious time. To be to the point… he looked at the President. You are a political leader. In my experience, political leaders are not completely trustworthy. I must first determine if your government is trustworthy and honorable, before we continue, he shifted to stand in front of the Admiral. Admiral, I need to know whether or not I will be able to trust the United States from this point on. Can we?

His gaze shifted from the President to the Admiral. The Admiral looked to the President and Generals, then responded, Yes, sir. You can.

Then Admiral, tell me honestly, K’torr asked. IS THIS PRESIDENT THOMAS?

The Admiral was surprised that the question was directed toward him. Why was he placed on the spot? He suspected that there was a reason but it was not apparent to him.

Sir, the Admiral started. K’torr interrupted him.

I urge you to answer honestly. Disregard anything you have been told to say or do today. Remember HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT! There was a long pause as everyone looked at the Admiral and started to object. Admiral, your honest response will determine our future interactions, K’torr cautioned the Admiral.

Then, K’torr pressed a button on his forearm and a shield formed around them. The two men were in a world of their own at this moment. They could neither see nor hear anyone else. But, those outside the barrier could see and hear everything. Admiral, the barrier is only to prevent them from influencing your decision. They can hear us. But, we cannot hear or see them. So Admiral is that man the leader of the free world? The Admiral pondered what to say and how his decision would affect the United States and the world. Then, it hit him. The Admiral remembered two things K’torr said Remember HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT, and leader of the free world. The Admiral realized that K’torr knew a great deal about this world, which placed the Admiral at a disadvantage. More importantly, he knew that K’torr was a Navy man.

At that moment, it was clear that he had made a decision on how to answer. The Admiral replied No, this man is not the President. He is standing in to protect the President until we can determine your intent. The shield disappeared. K’torr smiled at the Admiral.

Thank you, Admiral for your honesty. Now, I can trust you, Admiral K’torr appreciated the Admiral’s honesty.

Mister Vice President, K’torr paused as he looked at each member of the delegation. I was aware of the identity of each member of your delegation when I saw you. Each member of the Vice President’s delegation had a puzzled look on their face as they looked at each other. I think it would be best if we did not start this meeting off with deceit. To that end, I will introduce myself.

I am called K’torr by my people. But…, he stated while handing the Admiral a green piece of plastic. The Admiral recognized it as a Department of Defense Retiree Identification Card. By my timeline, ten years ago, I was Chief Gunners Mate Alec Hill, United States Navy, Retired. Everyone gasped. K’torr could see the confused look on the delegates faces. I will explain everything in time. But, for now, allow me to introduce you to, as he raised his hand to gesture her forward. She moved forward to be in full view of everyone. She tapped the side of her helmet and it retracted in much the same manner as K’torr’s helmet did. Princess A’duna, heir to the throne of the Mintakan Star Empire, he paused to allow her suit time to change.

Once the helmet was tucked away, a dark blue cape began to form that went down to her ankles. Princess A’duna is a six foot tall light blue skinned woman. Her eyes were like black pearls and had shoulder length black hair that was tied back. She wore a small silver, crystal encrusted tiara. A’duna was a vision to behold.

Pointing at the ship with an open palm, he explained, Mister Vice President, I have removed the shield around our shuttle as a show of trust. K’torr moved his arm to point at the fence and continued. However, I have taken the liberty of expanding the shield to encompass the White House and its surrounding property all the way to the fence line. He turns back to the Vice President to reassure him of his intentions. This has been done to protect you and us while we talk. He turns to the Secret Service man to reassure him. Not that I doubt your security teams’ capabilities. But, I have the leader of multiple worlds at my side. A’duna cracked a smile as she turned toward K’torr. If you would please inform your forces, I would greatly appreciate it. And if your Team Leader would join us, he paused as he pointed back to the ship where a single person stood. My Security Officer is waiting to coordinate all security measures and actions between our forces with him or her. The man raised his left hand to his mouth to let his command center know about the current security conditions and request.

Mister Vice President, I think it would be best if we continued inside once our Security Officers are in place, K’torr suggested.

Mister Vice President, this is a DOD ID card. I would need to verify this, said the Admiral as he looked back at K’torr and the Princess.

Admiral, if you would like, you can fingerprint me and take blood or DNA samples, K’torr suggested. If you have a doctor onsite or nearby, I suggest they come to the meeting to take samples.

Admiral, please go ahead and make the necessary arrangements and advise the President on our status, ordered the Vice President. He continued we will follow you shortly.

The Admiral walked ahead with his aide. His aide was a Lieutenant Commander, between five and six feet tall with a fair skin complexion and brown eyes. Her light brown hair was tied back in a small bun. As they walked, the Admiral divided up the tasks between them to accomplish it more quickly.

The Admiral and his aide passed the Secret Service woman, walking briskly toward the Vice President and the delegation. She was the Security Officer that was dispatched to coordinate with K’torr’s Security Officer. She wore a dark blue suit, with the standard communication equipment. She approached the Vice President. Mister Vice President, I have been asked to serve as liaison with their Security Officer, stated Agent Valdez.

Thank you, Agent Valdez. Ambassador K’torr will guide you, replied the Vice President.

Agent Valdez, my Security Officer, Commander V’shar, will be familiarizing you with our equipment, K’torr informed her. Please feel free to ask him any questions and make any requests for security measure modifications you feel necessary. Any requests outside of his authority, he will refer to me. He awaits you at the bow of the ship, he advised her.

Thank you, sir, Agent Valdez responded.

V’shar this is K’torr. Agent Valdez is your liaison with their security forces. Familiarize her with our equipment and procedures. Provide her with a battle suit and tactical gear. Treat her as one of our personnel.

A’duna looked at Special Agent Valdez. She looked into her mind to see who she was. Valdez was once a Marine. A’duna saw a warrior whose family had been taken from her. Valdez has an honorable, dedicated, and trustworthy woman. A’duna offered Valdez, Agent Valdez, I offer you a position on my team as the Leader of the Royal Security Force while we are in America. A’duna paused as she saw the look of surprise on Valdez’s face. Do not answer now. Please think about it.

The Vice President looked at Princess A’duna with bewilderment. Then, he looked at K’torr with a questioning look. He wondered how A’duna could offer someone that she just met such a prestigious and important position. K’torr answered the Vice President’s unasked question. She has an uncanny gift for gaging people. And, he paused. She is never wrong, he finished with a reassuring smile.

Agent Valdez turned and began walking to the ship. K’torr said Mister Vice President, we are ready to see President Thomas. Please lead the way. K’torr motioned by raising his arm and pointing toward the door with an open hand.

The Vice President, K’torr, and A’duna began walking side by side toward the White House entrance. The other members of the group followed a step behind. Princess A’duna was admiring the flowers as she passed. She would extend her arm to touch them as she passed. K’torr could feel her enthusiasm and hear her thoughts. "The beauty here is astonishing. I cannot believe you would give this up," she thought.

"There is very little that I would not give up to be at your side, my love, he replied. They looked at each other with a smile. And there are more beautiful places to visit if you like this," he continued. She could see he was pleased to finally be home. But, she could see he was restraining himself. It was a level of restraint which far exceeded the strongest emotion she had ever sensed in him. She tried look deeper but could see nothing. He felt her looking deeper and projected a mental barrier in his mind.

"Why do you block this away from me," she thought.

"Please do not push this further at this time. I will show when the time is right," he pushed back as he continued to smile.

"No, show me or I will relieve you. This mission is important to me, as are you. Show me," she insisted.

As they reached the top of the stairs to the main entrance to the White House, they pause momentarily. In that short moment, K’torr opened his mind. He showed her the source of his intense emotions. His family. His sons. He wanted to see his family again. He was barely able to contain his emotions.

"All of this time, you said nothing to me. It must have been torture for you all these years. You will see them as soon as this meeting is complete, my beloved. I promise you," she sent him. His eyes began to water.

"Thank you. I’m sorry for not telling you. Please forgive me," he shared with her as he raised his hand to wipe his eyes.

"There is nothing for me to forgive. In fact it is I that should ask your forgiveness for not seeing your pain sooner. No more secrets between us," she insisted.

"No more secrets, I promise," he thought.

"I would like to meet your sons and the source of your strength," she said with love.

"I would not have been able to complete as much as I did without you and your love," he finished.

"But, there is one more thing, he paused with a touch of fear in him. Since we landed, my head has started aching. It is a sense of danger that is close. It is weak but getting stronger," he warned.

"The additional precautions and protocols you implemented," she questioned.

"No, premonitions that I’ve had for the last week. They are happening as I’ve seen," he replied.

"Death?" She asked.

"Some. Not you. But, a few," he paused. "That is why I requested Agent Valdez to be onboard the shuttle. She is one of the dead that you saw, he continued. The vision has changed. You must be ready to follow my instructions without question when the time comes," K’torr warned as they continued toward the Oval Office.

"The new vision," she paused for a long second as she looked him in the eyes. "You have seen your death, haven’t you," she asked. A’duna’s heart began to pound against her chest. But, she revealed nothing in her movements or outward expressions. She took a deep breath.

"Contingencies have been implemented. Fear not, he agreed looking into her eyes. She moved past him to enter the White House. But, if I fall in battle this day, I wish my sons to be shown what I have done for them and allow them to join the fleet, if they desire," he begged of her.

"You have downloaded your memories?" She felt as if he was saying goodbye to her.

"They should know how much their father loved them. Loved you," he replied with a smile as he glanced in her direction.

"They will, my love. They will," she responded.

K’torr stopped at the doors and looked back to admire to the beauty of the area. One moment, please, K’torr asked of the Vice President. He touched his communicator to activate it. V’shar, this is K’torr.

V’shar here Admiral, V’shar responded.

SITREP, K’torr asked.

Admiral, we are green across the board. Is there anything that we should be looking for, V’shar asked.

No. K’torr looked back to A’duna with a reassuring look. Increase security scans to level two and place the Wolf-pack and SAR team at Ready-Three.

Aye, sir. Security Scan set to level two. Wolf-pack and SAR team at Ready-Three, V’shar reported. K’torr had just ordered that V’shar switch from passive to active scans looking of weapons and explosives signatures. The Wolf-pack and the SAR team were placed on a three minute deployment status.

K’torr out, he acknowledged as he terminated communications. He turned and entered the residence with A’duna and the Vice President.

On board the shuttle, Agent Valdez looked at V’shar wondering why they were increasing the security status. Is there a security threat that I have missed?

No, there is not, V’shar responded as his hands moved across the console. The Admiral has developed a, he paused as he tried to think of the proper words. A sixth sense. He sometimes refers to it as his ‘sixth sense’. He has never been wrong.

Your Admiral has asked us to increase to level two and he is presumably worried about something happening. Agent Valdez sternly looked at V’shar. I would suggest we take the security scans up another level, to level three, she recommended.

V’shar was upset by her request. But, his order was for, V’shar was interrupted by Valdez.

Yes, level two was ordered as a minimum, Valdez replied with a strong emphasis on ‘as a minimum.’ Is there anything that says we cannot set a higher level security scan? We have followed his orders. But, he is worried about something and we should be too, she continued. Control, this is Valdez. Their Admiral has ordered his people to increase security measures here. He believes there is a pending threat approaching. And his people say he has never been wrong. Recommend, we increase surveillance on the surrounding area, Agent Valdez insisted of the Secret Service personnel.

V’shar looked at her. Then, he looked at the displays which were set at level two. There were no security issues being reported by scans. V’shar looked to at her. Valdez reminded him as Security Officers, we are responsible for the safety and security of our leaders. She placed great emphasis on her next words. Princess A’duna and the President, their deaths will be on our heads, she insisted. It will be our failure, she reminded him.

V’shar looked back at the displays once again. He felt as if he was somehow disobeying orders. But, he felt that failure to protect the leaders would be a much greater failure. Setting security scans to level three, he told Valdez. Agent Valdez smiled as her hands danced across the control panel to assist him.

Security scans set to level three, she reported.

As the Security Officer, it is my, he paused to correct himself as he turned to her. Our ultimate responsibility to protect our leaders, he stopped and placed his right hand on her right shoulder. You will make an outstanding Security Officer, he continued commending her.

Thank you, she thanked him.

CHAPTER 2

Negotiations

P rincess A’duna and Ambassador K’torr sat in the Oval Office with President Thomas, Vice President Ogawa, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. A’duna and K’torr sat on one couch opposite of the President and his staff.

K’torr had requested that no media personnel be present. But, he had allowed cameras to be positioned in the room as long as the cameras were government owned and operated. He specifically requested the military’s Combat Camera team be used.

K’torr’s head was starting to ache more. He could do nothing more to push the pain back. The ache was getting stronger. But, he knew from experience that there was no imminent threat. The threat was coming, though. K’torr did not know who the threat was, where it would come from, or when it would happen. But, he knew it would happen.

K’torr’s primary purpose was to advise the Princess as her Ambassador not to negotiate. K’torr shook hands with the others. Princess A’duna merely bowed. As K’torr sat down across from Vice President Ogawa, he placed a communication box on the table and activated it. V’shar, Agent Valdez, this is K’torr. Do you still have a good communications and uplink, K’torr asked.

Admiral, we maintain all green on communications and security, responded Agent Valdez.

Very well. We will maintain an open communications link with you. Record everything, K’torr requested looking around the room.

Aye, Admiral. Maintaining open communications link and recording, Valdez confirmed.

K’torr out, he ends the exchange sitting to the left of the Princess.

Princess A’duna was seated across from President Thomas. President Thomas reclined back on the couch placing his left arm on the armrest as they began.

Would either of you like some refreshments? This is tea, said President Thomas as he offered to pour a cup of tea. Princess A’duna accepted the cup of tea. Steam rolled off of the top of the tea.

Thank you, Mister President, she took a sip and continued. I was wondering if you had some coffee. She smiled looking at K’torr.

Of course, I will have some brought in for you, the President responded to her.

I apologize, but, it is not for me. It is for my mate. He has been off world for more than ten years. And he often dreams of consuming some of your foods such as coffee, something called ber and pizza. She looked at K’torr with a smile. The group gave her a puzzled look.

K’torr released a brief cough as he corrected her pronunciation with a smile, You mean beer.

Beer, yes. Pardon me, she apologized to the group. She was still unfamiliar with the pronunciation of some words. Of course, that is what K’torr was here for, among other things.

It is not a problem, Princess. I completely understand, the President reassured her. The Vice President signaled for the coffee.

Ambassador, the Vice President started. We share the love of coffee.

We do, sir, K’torr smiled agreeing. And it has been a very long time since I have had a cup of joe, he finished.

Admiral Scott has informed me that you are an Alien Abductee, the President asked of K’torr.

That is correct, Mister President, K’torr replied. I was working as the night security at an apartment complex after I retired when my journey of rebirth began, he paused.

The Admiral will find in his research that based on your reference of time, approximately two years ago, I retired from the Navy. Then, I was forty-one, K’torr paused to take a sip of his coffee.

You said ‘based on your reference of time.’ What do you mean by that, the President asked.

How can I explain this easily, K’torr paused thinking of the best way to explain. You are familiar with the science fiction genre and time travel?

Yes, replied President Thomas.

Imagine you are flying through space, your ship is attacked, and a combination of different forces was forced together violently. The resulting forces create an anomaly in the fabric of space-time. K’torr picks up a rubber band and a sugar cube from the table. This rubber band is the space-time fabric of the universe. He places the rubber band around his thumb and index finger. This sugar cube is the two ships that are battling. He placed the cube into the rubber band, forming a slingshot. The combination of a quantum drive explosion, the energy expended from the weapons firing, and the massive amount of dark matter in the area of space momentarily weakened space-time. As we continued our forward momentum, he pulled the cube into the rubber band and released it. The sugar cube flew across the room and he continued his explanation. The barrier pushed us back. K’torr looked from left to right gaging their expressions. Newton’s Third Law, for every action, there is.

The Vice President finished the statement, an equal and opposite re-action. He paused as he grasps the situation. Then he asked so you were thrown across space?

Not quite. We were thrown a light-year back toward Earth, but still almost six months from the nearest planetary body. K’torr continued, As we got closer and could receive communications from Earth, I was shocked at what I was hearing from the radio broadcasts. K’torr paused to take another sip from his cup. We had been thrown back more than ten years.

But, you did not return home until this week. That’s more the ten years. Why, asked the President.

All of us wanted to return home as soon as we saw the moon. But, I convinced them it could be very dangerous for anyone to communicate with the planet before the date and time of our abductions. K’torr explained his reasoning, I was afraid of creating a temporal paradox or changing history for the worst. So, we waited, K’torr explained. His smile had straightened. There was notable sadness in K’torr. A’duna placed her hand on his leg to show her support.

Mister President, all of your questions will be addressed in time. At this moment, I need get to the reason for our visit to your world. Then come back to the how, what, and when, Princess A’duna interrupted.

Agreed. What is the purpose of your visit? Why did you choose the United States for the first meeting, the President asked.

As far as the United States, it was a recommendation from my Ambassador. It is his belief that your country had great influence around the world and that it would be best to allow you to schedule meetings on our behalf, she sipped her tea and continued. Is this not correct, Princess A’duna asked as she looked from President to Vice President.

Your ambassador has accurately advised you, Princess. President Thomas looked at K’torr. Please, let us continue, said the President. Princess A’duna nodded.

First, we are extending your world an invitation to join the Mintakan Star Empire. Princess A’duna stopped to give them a copy of the charter. K’torr tapped his communication device on the table. A holographic display was projected two feet up into the air. The display showed the Milky Way galaxy. K’torr reached into it and grabbed the Orion constellation. The display zoomed in like a camera. Then blue lights began to appear. It is a group of over 300 worlds which share culture and resources in accordance with interstellar law, she explained.

My world is over one thousand years older than your world. Your world is like an infant just learning to crawl. I apologize; I do not mean to belittle you or your world in any way, she continued. To start, your world is still plagued by an illness. You call it, she looked at K’torr.

Cancer, he filled in.

Yes, Cancer. I will give your world the cure, she finished.

You are giving us the cure for cancer. Which one, asked the President.

All of them, Mister President, K’torr informed President Thomas.

What are we expected to give you in return, the President asked suspiciously.

A’duna looked at them with a puzzled look. She turned to K’torr. He replied to her unasked question. It is as I explained, Princess. They expect to trade one for one. They do not want to feel indebted or obligated to us in any way.

Ah. They wish to barter for this lifesaving medicine, she questioned shaking her head.

Yes, Princess, K’torr addressed Princess A’duna.

Gentlemen, the cure for cancer is not part of our negotiations. It is a gift to your people whether your world chooses to join the Empire or not, A’duna informed them. But, it will be given to the world, not just the United States.

We understand. When will you give it to us, asked the Vice President.

After we meet with the United Nations, K’torr answered.

This is the meeting you were referring to, the President replied looking at the Princess.

One of them, Mister President. We would like for your government to coordinate all of our meetings with the other governments of your world, the Princess informed them.

At least until the United Nations chooses to take that job, K’torr commented.

We would be happy to assist you with that. Please continue, the President urged her to continue. President Thomas was eager to hear more.

Your world is currently using a form of power called nuclear fission, she paused to looking from side to side. The empire will teach you how to produce power crystals the size of a small battery, which can power a home or a small city. The President and Vice President’s jaws dropped in surprise. The crystals are no larger than a three liter bottle, she expanded her statement. They looked at her with great interest.

From your science and technology media broadcasts, I see that it takes you over a year to get to the nearest planet. We can teach your engineers to create Ion drives, your next engineering step. Your people are close to creating a prototype. We will give them the final push they need, she paused. However, it would require the power crystals, she added.

Within one hundred years, roughly, the pollution in your atmosphere will reach toxic levels according to my scientists, she informed them. Earth will become uninhabitable for humanity. But, we will show you how to clean the atmosphere as well as the water. She places her hand to her mouth as she coughs. A’duna looks to K’torr