King of All I Survey

"Ay, Dios Mio," Maribel's vocabulary seemed to have shrunk to three words.

"The point is," I tried to regain control of the conversation, "We have incredible technologies that allow us to do many things."

Rafael interrupted me, "I think the point is that Earth is being extorted and its value stolen by foreign powers who are cooperating with each other, if loosely, to exploit us." He looked at me squarely, "The people of Guatemala are familiar with this kind of scenario. Give me access to the technologies and I will take care of this problem." He said flatly.

A momentary fear ran through me, not for myself, but for the alien powers that stood in Rafael's way… "Absolutely not, Rafael. I made a mistake with the Chiapas incursion. I will not let that happen again."

I saw him hide a brief flash of contempt. I was pretty sure he let it show on purpose to affect my self-confidence. I tried not to let it as I continued, "I will give you access to some non-weapon technologies, you'll need them if you accept the role I have in mind for you."

He was studying me again, but I could tell he was interested to hear my offer. "Rafael Camal de Leon, Maria Isabel Flores, I would like you to establish and lead the first human colony on another planet." I stopped to let that sink in and to see their reactions.

Rafael wore a mask of cold intensity. I could almost see calculations of every leverage point and possible advantages he could take from the offer. Maribel seemed to be trying to process it as well, her eyes moved back and forth, sweeping across my face.

Rafael was the first to speak, "We will need the weapons to defend ourselves if there are alien powers ready to pounce on Earth or it's colonies."

"No, That's not negotiable. Earth will defend you directly."

"Will we pay our extortion money to Earth, then? Pay up or no protection?"

"No, the protection comes free. To establish the colony, we'll set up a trade agreement. Earth receives a small commission for providing a licensing and marketing system for any products the new planet has to offer. The trade agreement is fair, much more fair than anything the aliens offered Earth. I'll have Joe send it to you, but obviously it must be kept confidential, like everything we're discussing here today. Earth, the UEC specifically, will provide your initial start-up transportation and equipment, basic knowledge, scientific expertise, basically whatever you need and ask for, as part of the agreement. We will provide absolute protection from any outside entities."

"So, anything we need, except weapons? And does Earth have the power to protect us from all the powerful aliens? Aren't you just using their technologies against them, at best you could be equal, but it's unlikely they would give you their best weapons of war."

"No significant weapons for any colony, you'll have anything you need to defend the people on the surface from whatever else lives there, if anything, but no more than that. You're right, they didn't give us their best military technologies, but I used what they gave us to expand the possibilities beyond anything they have. I can't give any more details than that… for security reasons."

"You?" Rafael probed, "You did it? Not 'we' did it, you personally. Are you a scientist, Timothy? What area of study allowed you to surpass such advanced alien technology in a way that their entire civilization could not? There's something missing in this equation."

That was too close to the mark. "I will say nothing further on the topic, except to say your world will have 100 percent security."

"What people will we lead to this new world?"

"You will select between three hundred and one thousand people. All will be screened by us for a suitable psychological profile to protect the new colony from a likelihood of internal violence or severe dysfunction."

Rafael tilted his head sharply, "You are sending me sheep? People who will do as their told with no objection?"

"No. I'm just not sending you 500 violent criminals who will either kill each other or set up a system of individual dominance based on violence. I'm not sending people who can't stand to interact with others, or those who can't stand to act alone if needed. Consider it an application process, some people just aren't suited for building a new colony. Those people will be rejected. That's all."

"And we'll be in charge. Governors?"

"Yes, use whatever title you want, but you'll have full control at the beginning and the colony will by it's charter move to full democratic elections, within 20 years, or sooner if you decide that's what you want."

"Really? Will you step down and offer free and fair elections for President of the UEC, de facto leader of Earth, as well, Timothy Bailey?"

"No," I said simply., then changed the subject. "I have several likely planets for you to choose from. All are uninhabited by any intelligent life, but may have varying levels of native life. All are compatible with human physiology. You'll have equipment to help you decide what's edible and what's poison, but you'll find and catalog them yourself. Aside from providing a second reservoir of humanity, the goal of your colony will be to find and identify naturally occurring plants, animals, chemical compounds, or derivatives that can be marketed to other alien worlds. The people and chemistries of the many alien civilizations in the galaxy are hugely varied, so there is likely some market for everything, but focusing on things with broad appeal will reap the biggest return for your efforts. As I said, everything you find will be licensed through Earth. For legal reasons in the broader galaxy, this is crucial to allow us to extend our protection envelope to include your world. Your charter will expressly forbid negotiations with other civilizations since that could present a threat to Earth or more likely, the people of the colony. The returns you get for new marketable items you discover can be used to support your colony's growth and comfort. Due to the exiting technology licensing system, most of the things you use, like food synthesizers, carry a royalty fee for each use. Any world that can't pay the license fees finds the technology no longer operates."

"So, if we don't find anything profitable right away, we'll be reduce to sticks and stones, foraging to survive." Rafael said. Maribel looked at him incredulously, then back at me, intently, hoping to see me deny it.

"No, we're pretty sure the planets we offer will be economically viable. If you don't reach at least break-even for your world… I would call it a leadership issue."

"I see." Rafael answered, nodding.

"I don't," Maribel interjected, finding her voice again. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Rafael said meeting my gaze, "that if we don't produce, we will be replaced, and the colony assigned to someone else, yes?"

"Yes, but I have every faith in you. Maribel, you selected Rafael to lead Guatemala. I think with your help to shape some of his decisions, he will be a good and effective leader. I'm counting on you both to contribute according to your respective skills. Maribel, the will need your compassion if it's going to be successful. The goal is not to make this a work camp, but a place were people can live and be happy, as well as reaping the benefits of the planets resources."

"I need more information about what's available for colonial resources, where do I get the people, all the details of everything, including the charter."

"Yes, you'll have the full details before you have to make your final decision, of course. You can decide it's not something you want right now, and we'll move on. But if it you think you can lead a world and make it a better place than Earth for the people who live there, Rafael and Maribel, just tell me you're interested and we'll begin providing you with the information and training you'll need."

Maribel looked uncertainly at Rafael. He did not hesitate, "Yes, I will take this offer, Timothy Bailey, but if it turns out to be a fairy tale like the Presidency of Guatemala, I will be very upset."

Somehow, despite knowing there was absolutely nothing he could do to hurt me or act upon that implied threat, a shiver of fear ran through me.

"Aunt Isabel? Do you want this, too?" I asked.

"I will go where he goes," she answered. Rafael's face softened and he reached out an arm and settled it around her shoulder. She leaned into it, and its implied protection.

"But do you want it yourself? This is not an offer for Rafael alone. I can't put him in charge of people without you taking an active part in the leadership decisions for the planet. He needs your balance. I think you both understand that. Will you be the co-leader the new colony needs to become the kind of civilization that will make you proud Maribel?"