Stephen's Secure Blog #140
These stories about Stephen began was when he was 10 years old, and
moving to a new part of the country to attend a special school for
gifted students, in the 1950's. This was from a time before computers
would fit on a desk, and when people communicated with friends in other
countries by actual letters sent through the postal service. He wrote
225 of them to a friend. He stopped writing to his penpal, but found he
still wanted to record his life, in case he lost his memory again, and
wrote 30 entries in his first logbook. Then he wrote to an artificial
intelligence called Geenee, in the master computer in his school for
gifted students, which he started attending in 2016. Now it's after
2018, and he's continuing to save his memories in a secure blog.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
The stories may not be posted in chronological order.
Stephen is 15 in this story, in late Winter of year 5 of his special
school.
Stephen's Secure Blog #140 "Diplomatic Introduction"
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After we returned from lunch, we were informed that we were being
asked to travel to the planet, and to formally present my credentials
to the President of the Assembly, who is effectively something like the
Prime Minister, who runs runs the Confed executive branch. The Greeter
is like their King and Chaplain, for ceremonial situations, and has no
political power. He would have been there, but was on a trip in another
part of the Confed. I asked what form of dress was appropriate. Normal
work suit, or semiformal, or full formal with awards. I was told
semiformal, and that I would go directly to the ceremony. So I went
back to my cabin and unpacked that suit, and used 4th tools to iron it
to perfection. Shined my shoes, too. I put on my Guardian gear. My
documents case was a mess, so I ported to me one of the spares, and
carried it with me. Captain Krack, Angrala, and I, boarded the shuttle
with some other people, and we landed at the main spaceport without any
trouble. It was raining. They had things like umbrellas they tried to
use to keep the rain off of us, mostly unsuccessfully. Only my people
noticed that unlike everybody else, I didn't get wet, and hid their
smiles at that. The ceremony was going to be held outside, to allow
more reporters to see and make more news than actually happened, but
the rain was too much, so the event was moved indoors at the last
minute. We were led inside to a preparation room, where they usually
apply makeup to their own people. They didn't do that to me, because
they didn't see any need, and maybe because I said if they touched me,
that could be the last thing they ever did. My staff almost strangled
trying not to laugh. I said to them, "That's sounds interesting, but I
don't think I'll ever be able to duplicate it." That really didn't help
them to stop.
The PA came in and we were introduced. He said "Is there anything I
should know about in advance, before we begin?" I said "Yes. I was
treated badly at the station, so you shouldn't ask how I like my visit
so far, because I never lie. Here is the record of what happened. I
suggest you review it personally, before letting anybody else see it,
and before our next meeting." I gave him some memory cards. He nodded
his thanks, and said "Would you speak to reporters?" I said "If you
like. I have a large sense of humor. Should I use it?" He smiled and
said, "As you see fit. It should be interesting." I grinned and said,
"I hope not!" He laughed. We agreed on a signal for when I wanted to
stop the questions. We waited for the call to come out, and then it
did. We walked out together and stopped in between the two podiums. We
were introduced. I handed him my document case with full formality, and
he accepted it with the same. We bowed again, and went to our own
podiums. He said some polite words about who I was and what I
represented. I said some polite words about how I looked forward to us
working together to ensure that peace and prosperity prevailed.
Then the questions happened. They wanted to know about my home
planet. I said "That would take much more to answer that than we have
time for now. Information about that, and many other things, will be
distributed after they are prepared. But I can say this. My planet is
not advanced enough to have offworld contact. That's what the star
association who's area we are in, called the Galactic Council, has
determined, and I agree with and support that." I was asked, "Then how
do you come to be here?" I said "You mean, how could I get off my
planet if it isn't advanced enough to have starships? Well, I and my
small group, built some and went exploring. I became known and liked on
some planets of the GC, and when a ship of your Confederation was about
to enter our system, we intercepted it, and learned about them and you,
our long lost cousins. Those planets in the GC then asked me to help
our two associations of stars to get to know each other so we can be
friends. I arrived here in that ship, which Captain Krack commanded." A
question, "How do you like us so far?" I said "My experience with
Captain Krack and his crew has been very positive. I like and respect
them very much. I expect to like a lot of you, too. Or is it against
the rules for diplomats to like reporters?" Some laughter. I said "I'll
say one more thing before I have to go. You and I are a lot more alike
than we are different. I expect that we will become good friends, if we
let it happen as it should. Thank you very much for your warm welcome."
That was the end, and we left the podiums and went back inside and to
the PA's office. My staff were with me. The PA said "Well done. Have
you been a diplomat long?" My staff and I grinned. I said "This is my
first appointment, and hopefully my last. I don't lie. I think that
causes some conflicts with this profession." Everybody laughed. He said
"Please forgive my curiosity, but then why were you chosen?" I said
"Because I told them to choose me, and knowing me, they agreed." His
jaw dropped open.
I said "Before you doubt that, you should know I agree to have a
truth telling instrument be focused on me at all times." He said
"Right. You are REALLY not a politician!" We laughed. I said "I suggest
you review the information you have, before you ask the questions that
would be answered more effectively in that process." He said "I will.
We have guest accommodations prepared, if you would like to stay in
them." I said "I think that would be best for now. However, I have
property and a house here. I said I arrived in Captain Krack's ship. Of
course that's true, but I didn't travel between the stars in it. My
ship is faster, which I did NOT want your military to know, and nor
should your public, or that of the GC. I and my associates came ahead,
and prepared for this er, situation. You will know more about that, and
why, when you complete your review." He said "I'll do that right away,
but already I'm seeing something of the force of your personality." I
said grimly, "Not as much as your Admirals did, to their dismay." He
said "That bad?" I said "You will need some new ones. I think I might
have intellectually and emotionally er, assaulted them." I nodded to
the Captain, who said, "They were fortunate that was all he did." The
PA said "Now I really want to review the files!" I grinned and said,
"So, where do we go, to leave you in peace?" While we were awaiting to
be escorted away, I said "If you will give me something to write with
and on, I'll give you my personal com number." He said "It's not
protocol or authorized, but if you like, we can do direct exchange. You
are obviously well acquainted with our systems." I nodded, and we pared
coms.
We were escorted to a big secure ground car, and very short while
later, were escorted past waiting reporters to a government VIP hotel.
Our luggage was in the rooms were were assigned. After we were alone, I
said "If I were the kind of person who hates, I would hate this.
Playing with the public, manipulating people, sitting around doing
nothing, is bad enough. But to do all of that tortuously confined in
this, this THING I'm stuffed into, is almost too much to bear! I almost
wish I were back on the station." Rose ported in, startling the
Captain, and said, "Poor Stephen. How he suffers for the galaxy." I
reached out to hug her, and she said, "Not in that thing you don't." I
sighed and said, "My torture increases. Anyway, we aren't going to be
called back today. Maybe not tomorrow, if the PA gets a heart attack
after reviewing the files." Angrala said "And he thought you had a
use." Hawk ported in and said, "Terrified?" We laughed. Angrala said,
"Close." I said "They have bathrobes here. I'm going to go change into
one, just for your sensibilities. Otherwise we would be all stripped to
our NATURAL skins in seconds." I stomped off to the bathroom.
I came back and said, "While this isn't perfect, it's the next best
thing. Feels nice. Now I should call some people, and give them some
news and instructions. I'll be visiting at least one by projection, and
Rose can show you that happening. I could make the calls and visits all
at the same time, but that would confuse you, and since I have time,
I'm doing it sequentially. The museum first." I called the curator, and
said, "Have you seen the news?" He said "Yes. I think you survived." I
said "Alright if I visit you by projection?" He said "I don't know, but
popped into view in front of him. I said "My new staff and friends are
watching this. Here's what they look like. I'm the one in the robe." He
said "Wow!" I said "Diplomatic clothes are great for only one thing.
Torture." He laughed. I ported some memory cards to his desk, and said,
"As the archivist for this situation, you should have a copy of these
files which cover what happened at the station. The Confed PA is
reviewing them now. If he survives that, he and I might meet again
tomorrow or the next day to agree on what of history we should make
public." He grinned and said, "You mean what you tell him to agree
with." I said "My friends here agree with you. I think now you can
modify your ads to mention my diplomatic status and origin if you want.
Want to tell the auction people?" He said "I'll do both. You will let
me know the moment I can release the information, I'm sure." I said
"Absolutely. Just because I have to endure the torture of fancy
clothes, is no reason why you have to suffer from withholding
information more than you have to." He hid his grin, and said with fake
seriousness, "I think you for your concern." I said "Now I have to call
others and complain to them, too." He laughed as I cut the connection.
Next, I called the planetary president. He said "I've been expecting
your call. I have copies of the action, but we saw it as it happened. I
don't know how you could let them do all that to you, but I think the
results are worth it. Great work!" I said "Thank you. It was less than
I was prepared for. I gave copies to the Confed PA, and we'll find out
how he survives reviewing them, in a day or two. Then we all decide
what the museum will release of the history of that er, person. AND how
much of what happened on the station gets released." He said
"Personally, I want it all made public, but the reaction could be
physically violent." I said "Fortunately, that's not my decision. We do
not interfere with how people govern themselves, where it doesn't
endanger other planets." He said "But I do have some feelings in favor
of begging your help on that." I said "You have your own people to
call, and they are improving." He said, "I'm not surprised. You improve
everybody. I hope those admirals appreciate that." I said "I think they
are a little too conflicted at the moment, to feel anything like that."
He laughed. We said our goodbyes.
I said to my group, "So, do we have meals in here, or in the hotel
dining room?" They all said here. So, we asked for room service, who
tried not to sound surprised at how much we ordered. The food was very
good. Then we talked. I said "Your Confed is made of this planet, your
colonies, and planets of other species. At the station I noticed that
there were some females, but not anywhere near equal to the males in
number, and NO sign of other species. Explanations?" Captain Krack said
"As much as I dislike admitting it, we do discriminate. It's not overt,
but the prejudice is there, and those it is against do feel it." I said
"To your loss. Diversity improves everybody. It is the same on my
world, but NOT like that in my group. We accept anybody who qualifies,
no matter the physical differences. What you have here causes abuse,
resentment, poor relations, and poorer job performance. And the
possibility that the oppressed will act to turn that all around. Great
potential for absolutely bloody violence. That is going to be increased
when they find out that the GC has a whole lot less than you do of all
of that, and is acting to eliminate it. The GC Service is completely
multi-species. I, and my people, are welcome anywhere, and have never
faced organizational, political, or individual discrimination, and
mostly hairless soft skinned people are VERY rare, as species go." Rose
said, "They actually LOVE him. On Posintan, they practically worship
him for his skills and sportsmanship. In one event, almost half the
entire population paid money to watch him compete. On Tsuriss, things
are entirely different. They are divided by clans. One of them adopted
some of us, which included Stephen, which is so rare for offworlders,
it has only happened less than ten times in their entire history. We
can't show them Stephen being knocked down on the station. If they know
about that, they will come and tear that station apart, and the people
in it, and might not stop there. They will do it as long as any man,
woman, and child is alive and able to fight, and they are extremely
fierce fighters. They take their commitments VERY seriously." Captain
Krack said "Wow!"
I said "That's one of the reasons why the GC doesn't have a full time
military. They don't need it. The Tsuriss are not the only people who
can and are willing to fight their hardest for what is right." He said
"Now I see something of the danger you are trying to minimize. If our
military acted like themselves in the GC, it would result in
practically instant war." I said "And because they don't have a ready
military, people of the GC would get slaughtered, until they gathered
what remained of their people, and completely annihilated your Confed.
I plan to do my best to avert that, even if I have to put a barrier
between the two spaces." He said "You can do that?" I said "Yes, but it
will be complicated. We would have to program the forcefield very
carefully, so it wouldn't severely damage the galaxy. Something like we
did to the Van homeworld. I know it's hard to grasp, even among the
people who can do this, but our technology doesn't care much about
distance and scale."
We discussed more things, and Captain Krack left to be with his
family. Angrala didn't have anybody, which was one of the reasons why
she was picked to be on the ship. She stayed the night with us, and we
had a great time in sexplay, which she participated in very
enthusiastically.
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Grant
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