"They’d come to conquer, they’d come to rule; they’d come to destroy all that could be destroyed. This is when some of us broke away from the rebellion to form the Contract of Peace and the Alliance of Life with our former slavers. Amid would not agree to the terms of the contract. His heart was full of hatred and revenge. He wanted only to cleans the universe of evil and to rule the United Mutant Empire.”
Lord Kaschlin Ruhual, "Mutant War Memoirs",
Chronicles of the Visitor, 2382 TS
CHAPTER VIII
John was waiting for
Neila and Bedall at the
Bedall, Neila and John entered the Council chamber and took three seats directly cross the round table from the Council, with Bedall sitting between the other two. When they were comfortable in their chairs, John introduced the visitor to the Council, “Gentlemen, I would like to present Bedall Ruhual, Son of Kaschlin Ruhual, Alliance Prefect and Ruling Klan of Callibos.”
“Welcome to Terra System, Bedall.” Wiley said, “The Galactic Council is honored to have you here. We are relieved that you have recovered so well. Our Chief Medic, David Sinclair, has kept us informed and assures us that he personally undertook the matter of your recovery.”
“Thank you.” Bedall returned diplomatically.
“It has been explained to us that your people have been monitoring our planet for many hundreds of years. Could you elaborate on this?”
Bedall sat back in his chair and shifted his gaze as if carefully considering how he would answer. “Because you have not ventured outside of your own galaxy, and are therefore, oblivious of the universe1 I will begin my answer at a beginning. Before the ‘Dark Time.’ Before the ‘Contract of Peace’ and the ‘Alliance of Life’ which binds the ruling clans. The universe was filled with wondrous life, back then. Great knowledge and expansion was obtained by all because of exploration to distant galaxies, but the pursuit of it only resulted in the tragedy that followed.”
“New Life forms were often taken from their home worlds for a variety of reasons ranging from scientific curiosity to resource trade and commerce. Whatever the reasons may have been, the end product was mutation, disease, death and even the destruction of entire planetary systems. Eventually, small battles were waged for rights to whatever resources a system could provide. This then escalated from isolated feuds between the sentient clans to the Eradication Wars of the Mutants.”
“Who were the Mutants?” asked Owen.
“They were the result of the crossbreeding of Obolids with primitive life forms.”
“What sort of life forms?” Neila asked.
“Many sorts. Some resembled those found on Earth, such as reptilian and mammalian life forms. But it was the offspring of the primitive humanoids that had mutated to the super beings that waged the wars. It was then that we entered the Dark Time and remained there. Many generations of the surviving sentient clans passed before unity was achieved and the contract was agreed upon.
“What did the contract entail?” Asked Wiley.
“Originally, it allied and united the forces of all sentient clans against the mutants and abolished all explorations of neighboring systems. This was altered to prevent the explorations of unknown sectors and the known sectors were limited to observational study only. It was necessary to allow the known sectors to be explored for the purpose of monitoring life forms for mutant behavior traits.”
“Did the Obolids agree to this?”
“At first, but it did not last. They are creatures consumed with insatiable curiosity. They feed on it, and gain nourishment from it. They have no comprehension of pain, disfigurement, or death, so they cannot recognize the damage caused by their activities. They were tolerated so long as they did not interfere with the development of an entire population. But soon they were crossbreeding and mutating again, and this could not be tolerated.”
“Bedall told me that the Obolids were exiled from the known universe because of their experiments.” Neila interjected.
“I think this Council should recognize that because he has made contact without prior authorization he faces the same sort of punishment.”
“We understand the
dilemma you face, Bedall. Do you think that if your report contained evidence
of our advancements and our goal to save our own planet and those of our solar
system, that this might persuade the
“Perhaps. What did you have in mind?”
“A tour of our Terra
System would allow you to view our technology and witness the adaptations we
have made. You could more easily explain our struggles to preserve what we
could of the planet we knew and create new laws to govern our people. I am sure
your
“Perhaps Miss Winters could….”
“Oh, I don't think Miss Winters would...” Wiley began.
“Excuse me, but I can assure you Miss Winters would be very pleased and honored to do the tour with Bedall.” She insisted. “That is, if Security can spare me for a while.”
“Well, John, do you have the staff to cover her absence in dispatch?”
“For how long? I’ve got people scheduled for leave.”
“I think one week should be sufficient time.”
“A whole week?” He said as he thought about having to redo the duty roster. “Do you think you could come back with me for a few hours before you start this,” he whispered over Bedall to her?
“You want me to reschedule the duty roster, right?” She whispered back.
“Well, yeah. I'm going to have enough trouble explaining the canceled leaves.”
“We can start your tour tomorrow then, is that all right with you?” She whispered to Bedall.
“That would give me time to examine the pressure controls on my ship.” He agreed.
“Well, Commander Decker,” Wiley urged?
“Yes, sir. I believe we can work around this for a week.”
“Then it’s settled. I hope that you will meet with us again when you’ve completed your. We would be interested in hearing your opinions of our progress.”
“Of course,” Bedall said with a gracious nod of his head.
“Wiley,” Owen interrupted, I think our visitor might be more comfortable someplace other than the Medical Frigate.” He suggested. “If David agrees, he could occupy vacant quarters here at the Institute, perhaps.
“Excellent suggestion, Owen. Is this agreeable to you Mr. Ruhual?”
“Most agreeable, thank you.”
“John and Neila will show you to your new quarters. This meeting is adjourned to this time next week,” Wiley concluded it.