The Grenklin Group: A Convention Tale

[Nik_SpeakerToCats]

Nik-note: Woke with the core of this tale spinning through my wits, had to write it to be rid.
As a result, I have made scant progress on Fresno #121, so may not post #118 this weekend.
--
The Galactic Imperial Council's resplendent First Speaker watched the lone 'Human' diplomat stroll down the long, long stairs to the 'Guest' lectern with mild disdain.

He looked wrong, like a distorted doll. Slightly taller than an average citizen, he was too thin, with shoulders wider than his hips. Dressed simply, he had a short body, long limbs, a lanky gait that some-how diminished those formal stairs. His hands ! Those bare, too-dextrous fingers, their extra digit, their nub nails ! His eyes ! Front-facing, with circular pupils, they hinted at 'predatorial'. His nose ! Revolting ! His mouth ! Though narrow, it held a remarkable set of teeth, with utile 'Omnivores' at front, through 'Small Carnivore' choppers to familiar 'Herbivore' grinders at back.

The terse 'Security' briefing warned these 'Humans' or 'Hoomins' claimed distant descent from semi-arboreal omnivores, progressively forced to the ground by climate change. Such evolution equipped them as nimble, dextrous, innovative tool users with *dismaying* (!!) spatial awareness. Lacking armour, spines, claws or fangs, they made their own, ultimately a most remarkable variety of 'Extended', 'Ranged' and 'Projectile' weapons.

Despite wide variation of colour, size and habitats, 'Humans' were still one (1) species: Differences were accidental, adaptive, 'Epigenetic'. Also, there was no 'Average' or 'Typical' human: Superficial similarities could greatly deceive...

The Human reached the lectern, removed several documents from his cross-slung courier bag. He looked around the Council Hall's soaring crystal dome. Several big wall-screens showed a wide, wide parade field, arrayed with soldiers and equipment, plus the hulking, 'Combat Landers' they surely expected to board, ride to orbit then martial glory. Beyond the field and wide-gauge freight rail lines, multi-craned river docks crowned a tall levee. Other screens showed the immense 'Fleet Dock' in geo-stand orbit. Its many spines and ports were currently crowded by the Imperial 'Home', 'First' and 'Second' Fleets: Ominous 'Dreadnaughts', many Heavy and Light 'Cruisers', many, many 'Escorts', ample 'Re-supply' freighters and, yes, the vast 'Carriers' awaiting those 'Landers'.

Remaining wall-screens showed this hall's interior, mostly focussing on the resplendent First Speaker, his visibly eager 'High Council' and their many supporting Councillors. However, there was no coverage of a block of empty seats to one side. Although their minor 'Third Shard' was represented on the 'High Council', he was utterly loyal to the 'First Speaker'. Their opinions, cautions ignored, their votes irrelevant, these proceedings had been shunned by his dissenting Councillors.

The last few screens did not show the Human's receding, buzz-cut russet hair or simple clothing to advantage. He seemed unconcerned. When the 'Live' sign lit, he did not bother with an interpreter. His 'Imperial' was slow and heavily accented, but readily understood. From the lectern, his amplified voice carried to all parts of that soaring crystal dome.

"I am Kevin O'Riley, Independent Trade Factor, and Acting Commercial Attaché for the Convention / Sylvan Alliance.

"I bring the Grenklin Group's Colonists' official reply to your Galactic Imperial Council's repeated requests that they submit to your authority.

"Although you have again threatened them with a deadline, now less than half an eighth day-cycle away, they repeat their refusal." He waved a printed sheet. "This official document's language is 'diplomatic'. The Colonists' vernacular draft ranged from fervent hopes that all your war-mongering Councillors' matings be sterile, to utterly un-translatable due fortunate lack of common referents.

"They cite your blatant failure to aid the Sylvans or defend the original 'Grenklin' colonists against xenocidal Other incursions. Remember, the Sylvan Alliance ceded the disputed border 'Grenklin Group' to you in exchange for a promise of extensive assistance. You did not provide such. In fact, after initial minor clashes with the Others, you withdrew your four Shards' combined Fleets, left those colonists and the Sylvans to flee or die...

"It nears thrice eight-eights of annuals, but that cruel betrayal is neither forgotten nor forgiven.

"Far to Spin-ward, beyond Sylvan Alliance space, there is another Imperial Shard. Happens they claim superior continuity, consider your self-styled 'Galactic Imperial Council' and its old Imperial Sub-Sector Fleet Base as mere bucolic upstarts with notions of grandeur. They, too, abandoned an untenable group of colony systems when the xenocidal Others attacked. Unlike you, their behaviour was honourable: They deployed Fleet after Fleet, fought, fought, fought, suffered truly terrible losses. At least they tried...

"Above us, your 'Home', 'First' and 'Second' Fleets wait in orbit." He pointed to one of the vast crystal dome's wall screens displaying such. Then to another. "A grand review of ground and atmosphere forces is scheduled to celebrate the deadline's imminent expiry.

"It is on public record that, excepting only 'Third Shard' dissent, a plurality of your Imperial Councillors support immediate, unconditional annexation of the 'Grenklin Group'. And, yes, all your 'High Councillors' agree that any colonist who dares decline, delay or actively oppose Imperial annexation be summarily 'expunged'.

"Faced with such existential threats, the new 'Grenklin Group' colonists requested and will receive assistance from the Convention / Sylvan Alliance.

"Take note: If your deadline is not lifted without conditions, if coercion or forceful annexation of the 'Grenklin Group' is attempted, then a state of war automatically exists.

"In the event of war, the Convention / Sylvan Alliance will consider your prior pronouncements for disposal of the colonists and any atrocities thus incited as 'War Crimes'.

"Our 'Special Conveners' will require your prompt surrender of all proponents for 'Cognitive Assessment'. Please note that 'Just Following Orders' is no defence. Mental incapacity or coercion are among the few factors that would mitigate responsibility.

"If no such mitigation is available, the verdict is 'Death or Such Lesser Penalty'.

"So, with your deadline now very, very close, may I plead with you to rescind it ?"

The terrible silence stretched, stretched, stretched.

Finally, the Imperial First Speaker began to laugh. More of a bray or cackle than the Human equivalent, it was promptly taken up by the 'High Councillors', then the rest.

Eventually, eventually, the echoing cacophony slowly subsided to silence. The First Speaker stood, snarled, "Pathetic Human ! You dare insult the authority of our Imperial Council thus ? You should be whipped for insolence, skinned !

"Why should we fear your bluff ? There are no Convention / Sylvan forces within our wide borders ! Our vast Fleets stand ready ! Our Ground and Atmosphere forces out-number anything your feeble polities could muster--"

"Why have the Others ceased to press on your borders ? Or ours ? Or that Spin-ward Imperial Shard ?"

"Obviously, they have seized all they want--"

"Others take systems for their resources, to better destroy non-Others."

"Huh ?"

"Did the Anwyc get this far ? Ha ! From your face, I see they did. And, perhaps provided 'Over-Drive' technology to what became your splendid 'First Empire'...

"The Anwyc are now 'Post-Industrial', humbled by a cruel zoonotic disease. Sadly, their legacy of bio-raiding endures.

"Outraged by repeated, blatant bio-raids, the Others were incited to 'Jihad', what we would call a 'Holy Crusade'. They swore vengeance, bound themselves to their battle computers. Their younglings still receive pleasure / pain implants that train them to unconditional obedience, empower 'Total War'...

"Those computers did not, do not, cannot allow that their neighbours might have been similarly beset, so were potential allies. No, any non-Other is non-Other, must die...

"The Others never reached the Anwyc core systems: After razing several primitive and pre-FTL sapient species, they ran into the Akkans, then what became the Sylvan Alliance. Much, much later, as the wide battle-front continued to expand, prials of Taggli 'Heavy Cruisers' discovered, raided several Convention colonies. I'm told the Fleet term is 'Reconnaissance in Force'...

"So, please, ask yourself why their 'Jihad' has stalled, why they now cease to press ?"

"Irrelevant, Human Vermin !" The First Speaker managed to sound both bored and triumphant. "The deadline expires ! The 'Grenklin Group' is ours !"

As the vast parade ground's view-screen coverage flashed blue, Kevin O'Riley stated, "So, you have chosen war: May the survivors forgive you."

The screens now showed four columns of debris rising from the tall levee. Their craters quad-breached it. Thus freed, the great river avulsed across the rail lines onto the field. Those torrents rapidly widened, combining breaches. Drawn through, a barge-train and push-tug capsized. A waist-high wall of water swept across the busy parade ground, prompting pandemonium. Troops, equipment, 'Combat Landers' were being engulfed as coverage abruptly ceased.

Then the orbital views vanished. Blue light flickered at the zenith. Even though day, many, many multi-coloured lights flared, then lurid auroral streamers swirled poles-ward.

The vast crystal dome's lights failed for a moment, resumed on emergency power. Alarms began to sound. Many alarms...

"What have you done ??" The First Speaker was no longer so self-assured.

"I am just an Acting Commercial Attaché for the Convention / Sylvan Alliance. I brought the formal refusal of your demands, warned you of the potential consequences. Nothing more." He took a slow breath. "Beyond 'Operational Security', it would be unethical for me to know even the outline of Alliance planning.

"However, from the evidence of my eyes, and remembering what our Alliance did to the Others, I may surmise." He took a long, slow breath. "The aurora ? That is-- That *was* your precious 'Fleet Dock', 'Home Fleet', 'First Fleet' and 'Second Fleet'. Gone. All gone. Utterly gone. Their NIMBY anti-matter fuel spillage will 'Starfish' most remaining orbital facilities, including the busy 'Commercial Docks'.

"I doubt the strike on your parade-side levee was unique. Your Central Range's two vast hydro-dams will be un-harmed, as attacking them would be unethical. Not so their continent-spanning super-conductor grid-links...

"Where those two great rivers stand between tall levees above the wide, fertile Southern lowlands, multiple breaches may flood former marshes and flood-plains knee-deep. A dozen drained lakes will refill. This annual's pending 'Premium' harvest is mostly lost. Rivers left useless for water-traffic. Low-lying towns, industry both a-wash and bereft of cooling water. Further, those long-tamed rivers may fully 'Avulse', find new or former channels to the coast, by-passing modern harbours, docks, locks and water-supply pumping stations. Their carried sediment will shift sand-banks and channels, confounding coastal navigation and fisheries.

"Your excellent inland passenger rail network mostly rides on pylons, but now lacks power. Your wide-gauge freight rides 'surface' track, much fated to be submerged...

"Given this day-cycle's extensive personnel losses, I estimate your Northern territories, whose farms currently grow the 'Citizen Dole', can stretch supply to feed all former 'Premium' consumers, such as you Councillors, your many Agents and Administrators.

"How your Citizens react to any reduction of their rations may not amuse.

"As your dissenting 'Third Shard' wisely shunned the attempted annexation, their small 'Third Fleet' is intact, a 'Fleet in Being'. Thus empowered, they now have options: Secede as independent Imperials ? Secede and join our Convention / Sylvan Alliance ?

"Perhaps effect regime change here ?

"Us Humans have an old, old curse: 'May you live in interesting times.'

"Are you feeling lucky ??"

[jemhouston]

Fine job