The Reveal

Posted on 24 Jul 2023 @ 9:20pm by Captain Bane Plase

1,726 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Location: Antioch III

ON:

Captain Bane, Lieutenants Bast, Seitha and Spangler, and Dr. Elodin stood behind the curtain while the Tashi took the stage.

Normally, there would be a podium sitting in the very center of the stage with teleprompters flanking either side of the stage, and one front and center so the Tashi would be able to read a carefully written speech to give to her people. She also stood behind an ornate podium, complete with a voice amplification microphone and the Great Seal of Antioch III. It was obvious to everyone in attendance, a record crowd, and to those at home watching on their viewing devices that this was different. Gone was the podium and the teleprompters. She looked more like a stage performer without it than she did the leader of a planetary society.

For several moments, she stood there as the throng and chatter died away. When it was all quiet, and nearly every person on the planet had their eyes and attention trained on her, she held the moment. That was one of the things Captain Bane admired about the Tashi greatly, the respect and admiration she commanded, even in silence. And most of all, it was not uncomfortable silence. It was the silence between friends. He hoped he would someday be able to command that sort of respect and admiration. Maybe when he was much older and much grayer, and wore Admiral pips, maybe.

At long last, she inhaled deeply, and began to speak.

"My fellow Antiocians, more than a hundred cycles have passed behind us since we became united under one flag and one government, under one leader. In the time between then and now, we have solved many of our societal issues. The days of children going to bed hungry are behind us, as we have learned to reap greater yields in our fields of grain and in animal husbandry. Gone are the days of fighting amongst each other for resources, for women, for precious metals and for material gain. We have learned to work for the betterment of each and every Antiocian. Gone are the days of heinous crimes and brutal punishment. We have learned how to heal the mind as well as the body," she said, and paused a beat, her mind thinking of all the Antiocians currently in the hospitals across the planet, dying by the scores.

"Nearly ten years after uniting under one government," she continued, "We made what is arguably the greatest discovery of Antiociankind, the discovery of speeds greater than the speed of light. In the ninety cycles since then, we have dipped our toes into the cosmos, exploring our solar system. While we are still working on the technology to colonize other planets, we have learned how to tap into the rich resources of our asteroid belts. It is now time to release information to each of you that several cycles ago, with our advanced communications devices, we received a transmission from space." She paused and let the ripple of murmurs and gasps come from the crowd, and, she expected, in the many centers and homes where people were watching across the city and across the planet. "The transmission was not directed at us, though we did pick it up, from an alien race. We are not alone in the universe."

The crowd erupted. In cheers, in screams of terror, in moans of unbelief and in gasps of wonder and excitement. It was several minutes before she was able to regain control of the immediate crowd. She wondered if the centers would come back and listen in to what else she had to say. "Our scientists have surmised that the transmissions came from dozens of light years away, a distance unfathomable. They assured me and the Council of Elders that it would take them dozens of cycles to reach here, that we were safely nestled in a small and rather unremarkable corner of the galaxy."

Now was the time to drop the huge news. She began carefully. "Our theologians and philosophers surmised for hundreds of cycles that if there were any sufficiently intelligent and technologically advanced people out there able to make the star trek to our solar system, they would either be wildly hostile and unfeeling, or benevolent, kind and supportive. We thought we were out of reach of intelligent life. Several days ago, we were as surprised as you are now that this was not the case."

This was the cue Captain Bane had been waiting for. He and his officers marched out behind the Tashi as she continued to speak, with Captain Bane to her left, Lieutenant Bast to her right, and the rest of the officers filling out next to them. The crowd again erupted, this time in great surprise and a great deal of fear and agitation. Thankfully the local security forces were able to maintain order and calm. She continued to speak above the cacophony. "Behind me and on either side are members of a great Federation of people, representing half a dozen worlds deep into space. They have come in peace, and have come to help us, as we request, to take additional steps into the great ocean of space. Above us in orbit of our planet is their mighty starship, which I and the Council of Elders been given free access to. Aboard that ship are more amazing races of people, some incredibly different than we can even imagine, that are not represented behind me. In the coming days, you will see more of them. They are friendly, kind and accepting. They want to learn about us, and I am sure you want to learn about them. Their leader, Captain Bane Plase," she said, motioning to him. He stepped forward and stood next to her, looking very much like a child in stature. "Is here to say a few words to you as I officially welcome them to our planet, Antioch. Captain Bane," she said, and stepped back, next to the other officers. Likewise, each of them looked like children compared to her.

Bane smiled his best diplomatic smile and waited for the roar to die down. He knew that this moment would be a moment that the rest of their history would focus on. The day the aliens came and welcomed them. Every single word, movement, pause, hand placement, facial expression, everything, would be analyzed for a long, long time. When the roar had gotten to a quiet murmur, he began. "Thank you, Tashi, and thank you to the Council of Elders for allowing me this moment to speak to you. And a special thank you to each of you listening to me now across your beautiful planet for your calm, your curiosity, your wonder. The Antiocian people have made incredible strides and have made it through The Great Filter to join in the community of space-faring races. This is an achievement you should be especially proud of, as all intelligent races do not make it this far. As the Tashi has mentioned, we come in peace and friendship. We mean you no harm, and only wish to learn from you lessons which only you can teach us. We wish to welcome you to the interstellar community. In return, we hope you will learn from us, and welcome us onto your world and into your culture."

"Our Federation dictates that we do not challenge your culture, but to learn from it, and to adopt some of the very best qualities from you. With your new technology, you are now able to access literally thousands of planets with thousands of civilized people, cultures, technology and stories at your fingertips. You are taking your first steps in exploring strange new world. You are about to embark on a journey to seek out new civilizations, to learn about new life. You will courageously go to places no Antiocian before you ever dreamed of, let alone get to experience. Each of you are on a precipice of a new age of advancement and enrichment. As exciting as that is, it is equally as exciting for us to be here to experience this through your eyes. The journey your people are about to embark upon, one of bravery, perseverance, guile and sacrifice will enrich your society and your planet in ways you cannot even begin to imagine right now."

Bane expected a cheer, but was met with more murmuring. He chalked it up to them being in cultural shock, which was also expected. "My people will begin to arrive. I encourage and recommend each of you have open minds and open hearts as you see strange aliens in your streets. If at any time you feel uncomfortable with their presence, simply approach any of them and let them know, and they will respect your wishes and will leave immediately. Similarly, if you are curious about them and want to know about them, I encourage you to approach them, ask them questions. Each of my crew are thrilled to be able to talk to you, to learn from you, and for you to learn from them."

"Thank you all in advance for your hospitality, for your welcoming nature, and your questions and curiosity." Bane smiled again, then stepped back to allow the Tashi to step foward.

"Thank you, Captain Bane, and the crew of the U.S.S. Cygus from the United Federation of Planets." She then focused back on her people. "As Captain Bane mentioned, you will see his crew in our cities and towns. I am confident they mean no harm. At any time we wish, we can ask them to leave, and they will, no questions asked. I am hopeful you will take the time to learn from them. In addition, counsellors will be on duty all 22 hours of the day, and your local, regional, divisional and planetary government offices will be staffed to answer any questions or assist in any obstacles that may arise for the next several weeks."

The Tashi then bowed deeply. Caught off guard at this, Bane bowed too, followed by each of his officers. The Tashi then moved towards Bane, then pivoted to head off stage, Bane, Bast and the rest of the officers filing in behind, a final show of union and solidarity.


OFF

Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

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