Fragments 1: Devolution Landing

Deals and Negotiations

The Trucanni invasion of Dorian's World lasted less than three hours. The team would later learn that only six spacecraft had landed on the planet and no shots were actually fired. The invaders would later claim that it had just been a friendly exercise which had been misunderstood rather than an attempt at a takeover, but few people were really convinced...

"Another drink?" asked the Secretary of Education

"Thank you, yes," replied Androbos as he sipped the last of the rather expensive Numesmian red.

The soft autumn sunlight was shining on the towers of the city, catching the last wisps of morning mist. The view from the Secretary's balcony at the Republican Palace was simply stunning and it was easy to see why so many artists had painted the city from such an angle.

The politician poured the Professor a generous glass from a crystal decanter.    

"We are rather glad everything turned out well for you," he said with a smile. "Things didn't go quite to plan, I'm afraid, but it was a rather satisfying conclusion to the whole affair I think."

Androbos muttered something unrepeatable under his breath.

The group had emerged from the tent in time to see the Trucanni space craft lift off and power away. They had been left to watch its vapour trail curl through the sky and fade slowly into nothing.

They contacted the Rymerian survey team who were genuinely pleased to be alive. Glas Orobos confirmed that they had been treated roughly, but no-one had been hurt.

"So, it was the paper from Marcus that tipped the scales?" he asked.

"Absolutely," replied the Secretary warmly. "Once the Federation Council were informed that the inhabitants of Dorian's World had been citizens of Sirius Four, we were able to bring two entire battle groups into the area to defend their interests. The Trucanni had not been foolish enough to want a war with Sirius by itself and they certainly didn't want to take on the entire Federation fleet."

He grinned happily.

"It all ended rather nicely, I think."

It had been a few hours before help arrived so the archaeologists had plenty of time to speculate. Eventually a small military lander descended and a smiling Sirian officer emerged. The invasion was over, they were told, and he had come to take the team home.

"We had hoped your presence would give us an opportunity to open a protracted diplomatic conversation," the Secretary continued. "But young Babin handed us something much more valuable."

Marcus had worked hard on his paper during the night and had something ready within a few hours. He confessed later that he was appalled at the quality of his work and that it was only really a brief summary of his ideas. Perracheck dutifully sent it off before burying the radio under a rock. The paper was four thousand seven hundred and twenty six words long, and several news networks had subsequently published it in full.

Androbos sipped a little more wine. It was good, but he still felt a little annoyed about the way he and his team had been used.

"So there are now three powers with a claim on Dorian's World."

"Absolutely," replied the Secretary. "But our claim is the oldest and we have the biggest fleet. I have been reliably informed that our diplomats are already negotiating a more satisfactory arrangement. The Rymerian government are keen to appear friendly to the new Federation and still hope to join us one day - so they'll pretty much give us whatever we want."

"Which is?"

"Well, sadly we will not be in a position to extend their irrigation project since you have rather limited us with all this nonsense about self-determination, but I think we're happy with a foothold in that sector. The... Dorins... will be welcomed into the Federation - if they so desire - and we will find some way to integrate them."

The Secretary shrugged slightly.

"Of course, as Professor Babin informs me," he continued. "Their form of government is a little unusual, but I think we can work out some form of devolved arrangement, where they run their own affairs under the protection of the Federation."

"This sounds like good news for the inhabitants, but what's in it for you? - sorry, for the Colonial Federation?"

"Another five million loyal citizens, for one thing - which is not insignificant - but it also gives us a stake in that sector. We will need a military base on the planet, or in orbit, which will rather annoy the Trucanni. There will be a war sooner or later, so we do want to... make proper long term preparations..."

Androbos sighed.

"More pawns being moved around..."

"Absolutely, my dear Professor, that is the way the game is played. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for your part in this little affair, and let you know that your departmental funding will be increased by fifteen percent for the next three years."

And decreased if I cause any trouble, thought the Professor to himself. This is also the way that the game is played...

"And, we may want your services again," continued the Secretary. "I believe there is a feeling that cross Federation groups may well be the future. Your team could be quite helpful in all manner of ways..."

Androbos chose not to reply to this comment, but it was a little unnerving.

The Secretary raised his glass for a toast.

"To the people of Dorian's World," he declared and the Professor was happy to agree.