Evolution's Essence (11 page)

Heavy words made even the lazily sitting
Hunters consider that way of thought. The special agents too looked
at him over staring ahead as they were trained. Amanda Lockwell
found herself speechless again.

“
Put that way and even my
opposition can’t refute such wisdom.” Emperor Coleson nodded. “I
feel old compared to most, but I’ve seen children who turned out
without a heavy handed parent and never does it turn out as great
as the spanked. And rather than ostracize you and tempt your anger,
I’ve come up with a proposition that will make it so you aren’t
abused by my people.”

“
You want to do that now,
Coleson?” Vanishing Claw asked, kicking his chair back
again.

“
After that speech the time
is prime, Old Friend.” The Emperor snapped his fingers and an
android came up. It’s armored chest cavity opened and he withdrew a
metal case, set it on the table and the robot moved back by the
door. His hand laid upon the surface with the moving sword and
globe emblem of the Emperor. There was a hiss as the clamps inside
unlocked with the security clearance. The briefcase opened and out
came a single diamond shaped cut of genuine diamond. It was small,
about five millimeters and set in a simple gold ring. “This here is
a form adjusted from what was once a United Nations agreement for
when many governments ruled Earth more than a thousand years ago.
Vanishing Claw and I worked on it carefully ever since we met up in
the space between the Milky Way and Andromeda as soon as I got word
of your existence, Solarian.”

The ring floated across the table and the
wide band was carefully checked for any needles from Oliver and
having his accurate measurements from Renee’s scans from when he
was constantly under her medical observation. It was all part of
the full disclosure Jake Dorgen sent. It fit perfectly in the index
finger and he said “Activate.” A holographic projection came out of
the gemstone and as soon as the Valek touched it the turning of
pages blurred past. In a mere heartbeat Oliver said “King? You want
me to become king and have Renee as my queen?”

Renee read it just as fast, her jaw
dropped.

“
Astounding how fast you
assimilate information. That took me months to go through and for
me and Vanishing Claw to adjust for a binding legal document.”
Coleson shook his head. “In essence, you aren’t really human.
Neither is your bride. Her own biology is closer to your people
with a few markers of Jake Dorgen and Isabelle’s. You shouldn’t
even be considered an Elder Hunter. Aside from the Amnesia,
you
are
a different
race. After first contact with the Creelin, I too gave them similar
amnesty using this agreement. Yours is slightly different because
your daughter and future daughters
can
make children with ours and to
keep them safe, as a king you and they cannot be persecuted. Though
never has a Creelin broken our laws, they punish their own. I’m
still glad the Creelin Archivers didn’t force Verard for
compensation for all the years detaining and torturing Beyleez
Netul who sits among us.”

“
Quick action and response
after Vanishing Claw’s and Talon’s offspring maintained the pact
declared long ago.”
Netul merely
confirmed.

Emperor Coleson laced his fingers again on
the table. “Is there anything in the report you find
unsatisfactory?”

Renee broke in. “I do not understand the part
of human acquisition. We abolished all types of slavery even before
we became a people of logic.”

“
It’s not slavery.” The
Emperor conformed. “Since you could pass for humans and you two and
baby Isabella is all that is left, you need loyal persons to make
sure your ideals and laws are met. Oliver here abides by the three
hundred he deciphered for us from his people. Not once has he
broken our
or
his
peoples own laws. Solarian’s may have kept the laws simple, but
they are specific and punishments more severe than even our own.”
Coleson said “Oliver, personally, even if you were Mantiv, had you
broken any laws, not even the Galactic King could let you get off
with amnesia if you did something like genocide with forethought.
I’m the emperor of humanity and even I had to stand back as some of
my own children and family were retrained when they broke the
law.”

“
It was hard for us” The
oriental Empress added. “to watch our family members beaten and
corrected with drugs to be rehabilitated into productive society.
As leaders we were looked towards to make an example that there
are
no
means for
extenuating circumstance. I’ve even had to watch a great grandson
be hung publically for the rape and murder of a minor. No one knew
till he was suspected, investigated and proved guilty. As a leader,
should you agree to my mate and husband’s offer, you will have to
do something should your children and descendants do something
illegal.”

He nodded. “So any half human and Solarian
offspring can claim either government for a crime. If they are
arrested by you they can go to my embassy for trial and punishment
and any of yours could do the same under my rule.”

It was a statement, but the Emperor had to
make it clear. “Yes, that is the case. But more than that, you
haven’t the resources to make and uphold a functioning government
due to lack of personnel. It won’t be slavery as your lovely woman
asked about, but any human who has taken the Solarian gene therapy
can’t be considered human anymore and can legally join your
kingdom.”

“
Like the entire Hunter
caste.” Vanishing Claw said, relaxed as ever. “Even after all the
years our order has been around, we still cannot be around
civilians because we get everything free while they bust their ass
working for a wage. They don’t care that we fight and die for them.
It’s mostly about cost to civilians. We don’t deal with civilian
society, but we are part of it. It’s why as soon as the full
Hunter’s Elder council arrives I’m going to propose we all become
part of your leadership.” Half the Elders at the table nearly got
whiplash from looking at him so fast. “We can still be part of
human civilization, but under you we can do what needs to be done
to keep the kids safe. We’re self sustaining as a group anyway, but
if you decide to sign it, we’ll become your militia. And in article
eight hundred ninety three you cannot use a militia to make war on
any settlement or human city without just cause and speak with the
ruling Emperor for a negotiation. Under your rule my whole family
of Hunters and Huntresses don’t need to go through channels that we
Elders are exempt from.”

“
What would happen if I
became a tyrant king?”

“
I’d kill you first chance I
got just as I would anyone oppressing another.” Vanishing Claw was
blunt. Always was.

Oliver made a quick glance to the side of the
room. “Emperor, if I signed and Davan Took made claim he was my
chief scientist, your laws would be unable to lay a finger on him
correct?”

At this Davan’s defeated expression perked up
and new life shone through them. Fear these agents would kill him
went away. The Emperor too glanced at the man. “Indeed it would. He
would need identification proving he was one of yours, but the
moment it is proven, he would be merely questioned and transferred
to your custody for investigation and public punishment.”

“
If I decided this is in my
best interest, could I amend based on looks? For instance, you made
a point we look identical as convergent evolution dictated. Since
it is clear you look nothing like Creelin or Drake, I’d propose my
people be recognized by marking or coloring.”

“
Curious. Like a tribal mark
or have everyone share coloring as young Mr. Took here?”

“
Like a special tattoo that
is difficult to cover and made illegal to all tattoo parlors.
Hunters are known for their battle beaten armor, but I’d make an
intricate burning star since your people dubbed mine after
discovering we could make actual stars with our greater power. A
type of tattoo an artist’s needle cannot duplicate like on the neck
or at the hollow of our throats.”

“
I like that idea.” Talon
admitted and showed off her pearly whites. “And our trademark also
is our ligament speed. Personally I’m tired of strictly armor to be
known. A woman needs more than armor in her wardrobe.”

Elder Javelin nodded vigorously at that
proposal. “A universal tattoo that’s difficult to copy would be a
great start, but we’ll need to have a terran network server since
the gene will allow all Hunters to use a neural chip’s facial
recognition to verify they are part of our society, civilian or
Hunter.”

“
Then why don’t we reinstate
the five kingdoms or queendoms? This it getting ridiculous.” Renee
proposed. “I’ll become the new Fire Queen. It’ll only take my
daughters to fully mature ten years. Most likely one of my future
hellions will lean towards one of the kingdoms. Hunters can be of
Terra. Scientists of Fire. Those who search far and dangerous
places will be of Wind. Normal civilians can deal with Water and
whatever else Stephanie and Andrea Loke discover about Ice. The
Milky Way can have five Human Queens.”

“
What will we do for
credits?” Jessica wondered. “My wife is the historian, but didn’t
new governments back on Earth long ago require start up capitol?
How will we supply citizens.”

Renee looked straight across the table.
“Netul, did Solarians not use funds like your people do?”

“
We patterned ourselves
after them.”
He replied, treading a fine
line.
“So no. They were an honor based
society like us. Their occupation is what they enjoyed doing for
society.”

“
So if we recreate a
non-monetary society off yours, it can be sustained?”

There came a brilliant flash
as someone else entered the room.
“Many
struggles await, but with you as a queen of Fire, you would do well
keeping those who wish to come under your rule, but in making this
treaty, you will fall into a different category.”
A robed Archiver merely gave Netul a nod and the
Beyleeze removed himself from the chair and took rigid stance
behind it. The Archiver sat down and Netul became the Zeelin
warrior who protects the ancient male.
“Forgive the intrusion, Young Ones. We Archivers felt this
situation requires our attention.”

“
Welcome Ambassador Tammat.
You look well.” The Emperor said as Oliver stared heavily at the
newcomer, at last meeting the strongest and one of the ten oldest
members of Creelin society.

“
As do you. Let me get to
the point, as you always prefer.”
The
Emperor and his wife chuckled softly.
“Should Oliver Void formalize this agreement, your people must
sever all talks with the Empire.”
The humor
was murdered at the seriousness of the massive former warrior
turned Archiver and ambassador.
“It is
clear to us you wish to preserve the city of Fire’s technology
Oliver Void has irreparably destroyed in the past four castles so
your people may enter and learn from and preserve for history. That
much we have not agreed on.

“
Logically one day in the
future you will be forced to form an alliance or a faction of
humanity will seek to steal forbidden technology from Oliver. We
hold no cause to promote Renee and Oliver to the pinnacle of a
society and each have proven countless times they are of honor. The
exception lays with humans leaking information to your society.
Hunters are proven to keep to themselves, but they are
not
like
scientists.”
Tammat’s bright white misting
eyes turned to those at the table in lab coats.
“Scientists and researchers often share exploits and make sure
all groundbreaking inventions are publically available. Any who
join under Oliver’s rule
cannot
share because it’ll devastate your society. Yours
will be left behind and everyone will want an alliance. You’ll be
replaced for someone who will do it by any means, even kidnap one
of Oliver’s children through blackmail. And they will follow
another Emperor’s orders regardless of words earlier spoken of the
damage Oliver will unleash. They will not care to sacrifice a few
planets if humanity gets forbidden technology. So to negate it, if
you proceed with this course you will never again see your people
if they join him as a king.”

“
Will you stop us?” The
Emperor’s serious side was frightening, on par with any
Hunter.

“
For the safety of your
society overall, we will send their kingdom to a distant galaxy
you’ve yet to ever see up in the sky. So far away that there will
be no communication. We
will
go that far and further to ensure technological
evolution doesn’t turn to corruption. Consider my words carefully
for they are backed by the entirety of my people. We are united to
see you succeed and join us in filling the galaxies, not die off
because of impatience.”

“
Then there is no need to
worry, I decline becoming king.” Oliver said instantly, “But I have
a counter of you both will listen?”

“
Oh, I just love how your
mind works.” Renee giggled, following along at the extreme solution
he created.

“
I’m available for options.”
The Emperor relaxed without a serious ultimatum.

“
So are we.”
Archiver Tammat inclined his head and narrow,
mouthless chin.