Notes from An Alien

4 ~ Grandeur

Selections from the Trade/Peace Treaty between Anga-Param and Anla-Purum:

Article 12B:

It is hereby confirmed and covenanted that trade between our two Worlds will consist of:

A: Settlers being sent from Anga-Param to Anla-Purum.

Said settlers to have been given irrevocable access to endocrine implant deactivation techniques.

B: Goods and considerations, to be determined by both Worlds in top-level discussions.

Said goods and considerations shall be subject to thorough examination by the respective Trade Boards of each World, final approvals to be given by the Leadership Councils.

C: Other critical items and people deemed necessary for continued free flow of trade.

Said critical items and people to be cleared by Worlds' Trade Boards and Worlds' established Leadership Councils.

D: Quantities and timing of delivery of the above mentioned trade items will be determined by joint approval by both Worlds' Leadership Councils.

Article 48A:

Concerning LightSail Ships:

ShipTwo is hereby determined to be the property of the Leadership Council of Anla-Purum.

ShipFour, when it arrives at Anla-Purum, will also become the property of its Leadership Council.

For each close approach of the two Worlds one LightSail Ship will be automatically permitted to make the voyage to the World it is not orbiting. More flights than this must be jointly approved by both Worlds' Leadership Councils.

Discussions will be held, the date to be determined by joint decision of both Worlds' Leadership Councils, to determine whether flights between Worlds will be permitted at times other than close approach.

Article 92C:

InterWorld Weapons:

It is hereby jointly confirmed and covenanted by Anga-Param's and Anla-Purum's Leadership Councils that no weapons will be transported from one World to the other, whether Ship-mounted or personally-carried, or individually-implanted.

~~~

The farming family sat in their kitchen in the hills of Beselima, forty miles from Babur, overlooking the Vesun River.

Helmos, the father, said to his wife, Murlum:

"We can't make the quota."

"But, we must or the children will suffer."

The children—Nesur, twelve; Albes, six; and Iti, five—sat with intense interest in the conversation.

"Murlum, if we can't, we can't. So, we must find a way to transfer the children to a safer place."

"What place? Anla, with its religious idiots?"

"No. A place on Anga. A place I've heard of, with a family of Harians."

"Oh, so dump them with local rather than alien religious idiots, eh?"

"No, Murlum, Sezurna says these people are reasonable and won't infect the children with religious ideas."

Nesur, the twelve-year-old, said:

"Who is Sezurna?"

"He's my transport connection in Babur."