Chapter 13

We woke up and Milla prepared a breakfast for all of us. We ate. It was quite good.

As we were finishing, Timmo said, “To business. Josh, what do you think is our next step?”

“I think we need to prepare to meet with some people. We need to still be shielded but should be okay. I just don’t trust the Britishers quite yet. They have earned my mistrust but not my trust. We should be prepared to protect Liberty while we are out.”

Timmo nodded. “Okay. Josh and I and our mates will go out to meet with the Britishers. Janna and Milla and their mates will be prepared to defend Liberty. Janna, can you maintain contact with the four of us regardless of interference?”

“I believe so. Their communications are not very well done. I think their idea of shielding will be metallic or electrical interference. We won’t be bothered by that nor will they be able to listen to our conversations. Just say, ‘confidential,’ in our language and they will hear nothing you say until you end the call. I think the lack of equipment will be disconcerting to them.” She chuckled.

Timmo looked at his mate who nodded. He looked at s. We nodded back. He said, “Let’s go then.” We headed out. We had gone about ten feet when the Major and Captain both came out to meet us. The guards around our ship straightened a bit. They were still looking out.

I said, “Good morning, gentlemen. With me are my mate, Elena, and Timmo and his mate, Marla. Timmo is the leader of this expedition. Have arrangements been made for any discussions?”

The major said, “Good morning. Yes, Josh, our Prime Director is on his way according to information we received about ten minutes ago. The Queen will not be available until some time tomorrow.”

I translated to Timmo. I also told him that I needed to talk to the Major to determine how important meeting with the Queen might be. I told him that, in my universe, the queen had no actual power. He nodded. I then said, “Major, in my universe the monarch had no actual power. Who is the director for your country, the Queen or the Prime Director?”

He replied. “It truly is shared. While the monarch has little day to day duties, she or he appoints the Prime Directors and other Directors of different departments of the government. It does make for some interesting relationships.” He gave a small tight smile. I translated and explained to Timmo.

He also gave a small smile. “Yes, I would think that relationship would be interesting.”

I said, “Is there a seating area where we can wait comfortably?” The Major nodded and waved us forward. We went into a covered seating area with tables and chairs. There was also water and glasses. We went in and I poured water for all four of us. We sat and waited.

It was almost an hour when we heard a motorcade. The Major and Captain both stood as did the guards currently on duty. Moments later, men in suits came in taking positions to watch everywhere. Finally, three older men entered the covered area where we were sitting.

The one whose age looked to be in the middle came forward, “I am Charles Mason, Prime Director of the British Empire.”

I stood and gave him a very slight bow. “I am Josh Donaldson of the world you have mistakenly called New Wales. It is accurately called Hope. I translate and advise. With me are my mate, Elena, and Timmo, our leader, and his mate, Marla.”

I continued after sitting down, “Mister Mason, we are here to discuss the Britishers’ attempt to take our planet. We have and do object. We have routed two expeditions and hope to put a stop to any more before we seriously injure some of your subjects. We will not become subjects. Also, we were subjected to another short attempted battle when we arrived in earth orbit.”

One of the men was red-faced with anger. He drew a pistol and shot at Timmo. The bullet bounced off Timmo and hit him in the chest. “Who was that?”

“Mister Donaldson, that is Admiral Nelson. He acted without my knowledge.”

“Mason, he was in your party. You are responsible for his death or punishment if he lives. We have protection. It appears that the British Empire is as barbaric as the fools who previously attempted aggression against us still involved in this affair. This is not a sign of good faith. In my universe, there was an old saying that, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. That appears true in this universe also.”

The Major had kicked the pistol away. The Captain picked it up and slid it under his belt. Mason said, “Our Queen insisted he be part of this party. I didn’t want him here.”

Timmo said, “Confidential.” He continued. Milla has been giving us a running translation. You’ve done well. In view of their divided leadership and the Queen’s collusion in this latest attack, should we just leave and fight?”

“I don’t know,, Sir. I presume that Milla can translate if I stay. You and our mates might leave to make a point.”

He said, “That suits me. Talk to them but I have little hope.” He stood and our mates stood with him. They walked back to Liberty and went inside.

Mason said, “What happened?”

“You people have acted in bad faith with Nelson coming armed and attempting murder. Your Queen is obviously antagonistic to us, sight unseen. What do you realistically think can be accomplished?”

“We would like to work something out.”

“Like what?”

“Your planet has plenty of room. We would like to colonize the vacant areas.”

“We like having a sparsely settled planet. I will make you an alternative suggestion. Do not enter our system again or we will explode your planet. There are plenty of planets and solar systems in the universe. Leave ours alone. By the way, we are broadcasting this entire meeting over all the world. There are other nations than British in the world. I don’t think they will take kindly in being included into your war that you started and have continued.”