Welcome to the Journal of Now and Forever. This Journal is a collection of my Star Control and Star Control 2 fiction. Note: Some of this material is, by necessity, extrapolation from the slim information provided by canon sources.

New fiction is posted first at My Livejournal before it appears here. This story is in response to 15 Minute Ficlets' Challenge #80.

"My fellow Androsynth..."

Consul-elect Thad adjusts his collar in the bright lights. The Consuls and Advisors do not often make planetary announcements, but this is one no Androsynth wishes to miss. Rather, they might wish it wasn't happening – but they also want to know what is happening.

"My fellow Androsynth," Thad begins again. "As you know, we have made the decision to surrender to the Ur-Quan Hierarchy. My fellow Consul and Advisors have agreed there is nothing to be gained from continued resistance. The Hierarchy has greater numbers and technology. To continue to resist will lead only to our deaths."

Dean and Nick watch the live proceedings on Dean's computer. Dean should probably be there, with the Advisors, but he doesn't want to leave Nick alone right now; the KORB-series remains despondent from the arrival of the Hierarchy fleet to Eta Vulpeculae 2.

"Hierarchy Fleet Lord 419 informs us that the prisoners they have taken are alive," Thad continues. "We may find them returned to us depending on certain conditions."

At least he's alive, Lynn thinks. She hasn't heard anything since that one message, the one where he described the alien. If he's alive, then she's not alone.

"You are probably wondering what those conditions are," Thad says, and stops to take a sip of water.

He looks older, Grif thinks. Consul Gary was out with the spacers to lead the fight to the enemy, and hasn't been heard from since he left; hence Thad is Consul-elect. But although the Androsynth don't age, Thad looks older. The stress must be horrific – to deal directly with the new conquerors.

Thad resumes his speech. "The Ur-Quan Hierarchy has given us two options, now that we have surrendered. One: we submit to their protection. They swear we will never be harmed. We must maintain our starbase, modified for Hierarchy use, as a resupply station. In return, our world – all of Eta Vulpeculae 2 – will be shielded – " There is a muttering off-camera, and Thad corrects himself – "slave-shielded. Nothing will get in. We will not get out, save for a few who will permanently staff the Starbase. Our space forces, apart from the Starbase, will be destroyed. The Ur-Quan shall leave us alone, except for use of the Starbase, and will protect us, they say, from greater threats. This should include the Earthlings as well as any other aliens."

Otto and the other spacers are permitted to hear the Androsynth broadcast. It would be a gulag, a prison, and he would never experience the beauty of hyperspace again. Even now, as a prisoner of the Hierarchy, he hopes this is not the choice of the Androsynth, to become fallow land-bound slaves. He thinks it might kill him – slowly, but kill him nonetheless.

"Option two: we become Battle Thralls in the Hierarchy. We would fight for the Hierarchy to defeat, and enslave, other species, possibly including Earth. The space forces would be mobilized for Hierarchy use, and our civilization geared toward Hierarchy demands. However, we would retain some autonomy, as long as the Hierarchy came first." Thad paused.

Dina knows that this is the lesser of two evils. The Androsynth were slaves before, now slaves again, and if they become Battle Thralls, will enslave others. It does not sit well with her. But to be 'protected' on this planet – cut off from the rest of the universe, potentially to the end of their days – that would be a certain death knell for the Androsynth. They cannot reproduce. They need more, different, newer technology, and more importantly, they need human bodies for comparison and, if it cannot be avoided, experimentation. How different was the Androsynth plan to kidnap a few Earthlings, compared to the Ur-Quan drive for enslavement and conquest?

"Lord 419 has granted us forty-eight hours to make our choice. Everyone - everyone - is entitled to one vote. The system is being put into place now. The Hierarchy wishes this to be the mandate of the people, not just the Consuls and Advisors."

The gunner knows how he'll vote. His arm hurts so strongly that it feels like he's gone through to the other side of the pain – the only way he can explain it – and although he'd like nothing more than to shove grenades down the aliens' maws and then set them on fire, it's not feasible. Plus it'd only get him killed, and if he gets killed, he can't kill Earthlings, now, can he?

"The captive spacers will be voting as well, provided they are physically able to make their choice known. Should the Androsynth decide to become protected – prisoners – " Dean wonders if Thad intended to say that – "then the captives will become the new staff for the Starbase. Should the Androsynth choose to become Battle Thralls, the spacers will be reinstated, with some changes.

"The voting locations will be announced within the hour. Please think carefully and deeply about your choice. This is for our future, all the Androsynth. If you need to discuss it with others, do so, but do not waste time in pointless arguing. The Advisors and myself and Consul Kurt will try to answer questions relevant to the situation if you wish to post them; the forums have a specific, screened area just for that purpose." Thad wipes his damp forehead. "Forty-eight hours seems like a long time, but it will pass quickly. Missed votes are forever gone. There will be no going back, no corrections."

The Consul goes on about penalties for fraud as Nick stares dully at the screen. Either way, they're still slaves. The choice is only that of degree. He's not sure he wants to die, but not certain he wants to live, either. Right now, he wants only to crawl into the earth and not wake up.

"I hope you are all able to make the choice that is right for you. Remember that we will have to live with it for the rest of our days. A new era is upon us, whether for good or ill. But it cannot last forever. Consul-elect Thad, signing off."

Comments? Email me: laridian at aol dot com