章 10: Because Someone Had To [ Part 1 ]

By MachDhai

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"Why?" A kil'tan child, seated in the front row of a class of like-aged children from many races, had raised their primary limb to gain the teacher's attention. It was rare for a child of such a young age to show interest in Galactic History, but when learning of the liberation of one's race by a species that had lost everything in the process, even a naive child's attention was captivated.

The class's teacher was silent for a moment, studying the child who had asked the question. The kil'tan still bore the genetic markers from centuries of slavery and biological conditioning, but even after just a few generations of freedom, they were fading. "The Humans always answered that question the same way. 'Because someone had to.'"

"The Terran Ambassador has requested to speak before the Council and has been granted the floor. You may speak."

The Speaker, a kil'tan elder, stood at the foot of the Council's dais. The creature's chitin crest was gilded in rare metals and was draped in expensive robes, but it was little more than decoration, an expensive bauble flaunted by its masters. An impressive representative of his species, purchased and modified for the unique task of standing motionless and speaking a clear, unaccented Galactic common, and capable of little else, at least in the eyes of the Council species.

The Terran ambassador was an older man, dressed in a simple if well-tailored suit, and using an old wooden cane to counter an otherwise severe limp. The man approached the speaker's post, located near the kil'tan Speaker, and stood still a moment to study the larger, albeit just as old, creature in all its finery.

"Thank you, Speaker. Council, I appreciate the opportunity to address the gathered signatory species." Members of the Council were visibly irritated by the Human's choice to address the Speaker directly, and then second. But the Humans were new to the Senate and held only a minor place. Likely this would be the first, and quite possibly last, time a Human ambassador would be given the right to address the chamber.

The various Senate members and representatives murmured and laughed at the Human's crude behavior, but the old Human simply stood leaning on his cane and waited for silence. The room died down in short order; everyone had better things to do, and gossiping about the humans was not one of them.

When silence reigned again, the Human cleared his throat and finally spoke. "Humanity is a young species, compared to many here. A mere 300,000 and some years from our more recent evolutionary ancestors till now. In our history are many dark truths of our past. Things for which we hold no pride, but from which we have drawn strength and wisdom."

He glanced at the kil'tan Speaker for a moment, then looked directly at the Rashiniant representative. "Since joining the Council, and being granted a place in the Senate, albeit a minor one, our philosophers and lawmakers have pored over the laws and standards held by this ruling body."

Humanity had arrived on the Council's awareness a scant few years prior; little was known of them, mostly due to apathy on the part of many of the signatory species and the Council itself. They had met the minimum requirements for membership and had levied the mandated fees, and little more was expected of them. The private sector would sort out the fledgling race, and likely drive them into crippling debt as was so often the case with minor races.

"We have known slavery. Only three hundred years ago was its practice finally abolished entirely among my people. We believe the practice is abhorrent. The belief that any one lineage, nation, or species is inherently subservient is folly. We learned long ago that divisions of class based on race or gender simply limit the potential of the population."

There were angry murmurs throughout the chamber. The Council itself grew restless with simmering rage, that an upstart race and new petition to the assembly would make such bold and aggressive statements.

"It was once believed that women were second-class citizens, that they should stay in the home, raise the children, and cook the meals. That they could not be scientists or politicians or doctors. It was once believed that the people of Africa were subhumans, capable only of mimicking 'civilized' customs, and were suited to little outside of hard labor. Wars were fought among my people to bring an end to such beliefs. Laws were passed on the basic requirements and rights of every Human, constitutions were re-written."

The angry rumbling of the assembled Senate grew but was held from a full outburst by the staying hand of the Silliunce Councillor, who glared with cold yellow eyes at the small, frail human below.

"As such, I have been directed by my leaders, to put forth a...motion, to the Council." He turned to face the Council rather than the assembled Senate members, "The practice of slavery is to be abolished, and all species be given free and equal standing on the Senate. The worlds of their birth and any former colonies returned to their own rule, and reparations be paid. Naturally, not something that can be achieved overnight, but we are prepared to offer economic boons and adjudication to help facilitate the transition." The ambassador's tone was straightforward and calm, with no sense of sarcasm. It was as if the statement could only have one logical response from the Senate and Council; to accept the Terran terms.

The outrage boiled over; a mindless roar of accusations, threats, and insults spilled forth from the Senate onto the Human ambassador. He simply stood, leaning on his cane and studying the Council, then turned his attention to the Speaker, who simply stood staring at the old Human in disbelief. He would not dare hope, of course; but he could appreciate the words of what would soon surely be another enslaved species pressed into service for the Council.

At a gesture from the Council species, the Senate quieted. The eldest of the Council races stood then; a towering creature of scaled hide and crooked-fanged jaw. "The Silliunce have ruled the stars for thousands of your years. We had conquered a dozen empires before the Council was even formed. Tell your leaders that no upstart younglings will dictate to the Council. Yours shall be just another footnote in history, and your descendants shall work in chains for their betters."

The ambassador smiled at the Speaker, then looked up at the Silliunce Councillor. "A young race we are, yes. But know this. 400 years ago, we landed on our home world's moon. Twenty years prior, we split the atom. Forty years before that, we discovered flight. We have known war without end for all of our 200 millennia of existence. And should you choose war, you shall quickly learn how far we have come from the first fire-hardened spear to now. 400 years ago, your grandfather sat in that chair, Councillor. He came to and from his palatial estate in the same luxury shuttle you use."

He rested both hands on his cane and studied the Council races, a hint of amusement showing through. "400 years ago, the same patrol vessels monitored your shipping lanes. Those same ships have been for 400 years before that, and likely would 400 years from now had nothing changed. You have been stagnant for thousands of years, Councillors. Peaked, crested, and contented. 300,000 years ago my ancestors forged spears with branches and flames. Do you wish to learn what our spears look like today?"

Another sudden surge of violent outcry from the Senate, the Councillors themselves driven to rage, and the Human ambassador simply looked to the Speaker again. The call for war echoed through the Senate and was eagerly received by the Council. But the Human ambassador had known all along, that there could have only been one outcome.

"Why?" The Speaker asked, and the ambassador simply smiled sadly.

"Because someone had to."