species that had attacked her home planet would have such complex morals, especially ones that would hold peace, of all things, in such high esteem. It was like meeting Genghis Khan only to have him pontificate about the joys of monogamy.
“It’s... certainly an interesting story.”
["It is."]
Liao considered it for some time, holding her chin in her hands. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and reserved.
“Since you claim that peace is the greatest treasure a society can have, do you think there will ever be peace between our people?”
Then it was Saara’s turn to be introspective. Her yellow eyes flicked between Yu and Liao, examining each of them in measure, the Toralii female ever so carefully considering her response.
["Yes, assuming you abandon your efforts to develop Voidwarp technology.”]
The two humans exchanged a confused glance. ‘Voidwarp.’ Saara had used a word which they didn’t understand, but which used as its root two other words they had learned together.
Liao looked to Yu, nodding her head in encouragement. “Voidwarp...? You mean the jump drive?”
[“Yes... what you would call ‘jump drive’. Agree to abandon it and we may have peace... The Toralii have diplomatic relations with many species who take this path, especially the Telvan who are not warlike. Trade alliances, social alliances... military alliances are theoretically forbidden by our laws, but we protect our allies in practice. Although, again, this is assuming they make no moves to possess Voidwarp technology."]
Liao shook her head. Her tone was understanding and just a little sad, but resolute. “Unfortunately that won’t be possible. Could you share with us your knowledge? We could work together, move beyond what has happened and-”
["Then I believe our peoples will always be at war, Captain, until one of us is defeated.”] Saara turned away from both of them, staring absently at the plain metal of the bulkhead. [“I am sorry, Captain Liao. What you say makes sense, of a sort, but if you understood... you would not ask such a thing. For what it is worth, you strike me as a kind and noble person, even if you are my enemy. In another life, I think you and I could have been... good friends."]
“Agreed...” Liao answered softly, her voice tinged with regret. “...in another life.”
Chapter VI
“Beginnings and Ends”
*****
Docking Umbilical
TFR Beijing
Mars/Jupiter Asteroid Belt
Four weeks later
The TFR Tehran completed her docking with the Beijing , the first time the great pillars had ever physically joined. Liao made her way to the docking umbilical. She was afforded the Captain’s privilege of being the first to disembark from the vessel.
From the moment she stepped off the cold steel of the Beijing ’s decks, she was accosted by a throng of reporters who fought and shoved to be the first to ask her a question.
“Captain Liao! Captain Liao! Shreya Bose from IMC-TV, may I-”
“ 队长，你能不能告诉我们任何有关外星人 -”
“Any words for the people back home, Commander Liao-”
“Captain Liao, what can you tell me about Commander Sheng-”
“A word for the BBC, Captain – is it true the Beijing was nearly destroyed?”
“Captain, is it true you are keeping an alien warrior as a prisoner in your bri-”
She held up her hands to silence the din. Staring down the business end of dozens of microphones, recorders, lights and video cameras thrust in her face, Liao squinted to see.
She cursed Sheng's squealing hide. The press were here because of him .
“One at a time, one at a time... okay. First of all, I can say that it’s very heartening to see that the Tehran was able to meet us in the asteroid belt, and-”
The voices all sprang up again, shouting over each other to be heard. Liao stepped back, overwhelmed briefly, until a booming voice cut over the din.
“Attention everyone! Your attention please. Thank you. Now, a press conference will be held at 0930
“It’s... certainly an interesting story.”
["It is."]
Liao considered it for some time, holding her chin in her hands. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and reserved.
“Since you claim that peace is the greatest treasure a society can have, do you think there will ever be peace between our people?”
Then it was Saara’s turn to be introspective. Her yellow eyes flicked between Yu and Liao, examining each of them in measure, the Toralii female ever so carefully considering her response.
["Yes, assuming you abandon your efforts to develop Voidwarp technology.”]
The two humans exchanged a confused glance. ‘Voidwarp.’ Saara had used a word which they didn’t understand, but which used as its root two other words they had learned together.
Liao looked to Yu, nodding her head in encouragement. “Voidwarp...? You mean the jump drive?”
[“Yes... what you would call ‘jump drive’. Agree to abandon it and we may have peace... The Toralii have diplomatic relations with many species who take this path, especially the Telvan who are not warlike. Trade alliances, social alliances... military alliances are theoretically forbidden by our laws, but we protect our allies in practice. Although, again, this is assuming they make no moves to possess Voidwarp technology."]
Liao shook her head. Her tone was understanding and just a little sad, but resolute. “Unfortunately that won’t be possible. Could you share with us your knowledge? We could work together, move beyond what has happened and-”
["Then I believe our peoples will always be at war, Captain, until one of us is defeated.”] Saara turned away from both of them, staring absently at the plain metal of the bulkhead. [“I am sorry, Captain Liao. What you say makes sense, of a sort, but if you understood... you would not ask such a thing. For what it is worth, you strike me as a kind and noble person, even if you are my enemy. In another life, I think you and I could have been... good friends."]
“Agreed...” Liao answered softly, her voice tinged with regret. “...in another life.”
Chapter VI
“Beginnings and Ends”
*****
Docking Umbilical
TFR Beijing
Mars/Jupiter Asteroid Belt
Four weeks later
The TFR Tehran completed her docking with the Beijing , the first time the great pillars had ever physically joined. Liao made her way to the docking umbilical. She was afforded the Captain’s privilege of being the first to disembark from the vessel.
From the moment she stepped off the cold steel of the Beijing ’s decks, she was accosted by a throng of reporters who fought and shoved to be the first to ask her a question.
“Captain Liao! Captain Liao! Shreya Bose from IMC-TV, may I-”
“ 队长，你能不能告诉我们任何有关外星人 -”
“Any words for the people back home, Commander Liao-”
“Captain Liao, what can you tell me about Commander Sheng-”
“A word for the BBC, Captain – is it true the Beijing was nearly destroyed?”
“Captain, is it true you are keeping an alien warrior as a prisoner in your bri-”
She held up her hands to silence the din. Staring down the business end of dozens of microphones, recorders, lights and video cameras thrust in her face, Liao squinted to see.
She cursed Sheng's squealing hide. The press were here because of him .
“One at a time, one at a time... okay. First of all, I can say that it’s very heartening to see that the Tehran was able to meet us in the asteroid belt, and-”
The voices all sprang up again, shouting over each other to be heard. Liao stepped back, overwhelmed briefly, until a booming voice cut over the din.
“Attention everyone! Your attention please. Thank you. Now, a press conference will be held at 0930
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