April 5: A Depth of Understanding (45 page)

Lindsey hoped that was just a bit of overreaction to his usual strong sense of modesty. At least he had a bit of a smile in the interview. She really liked Muños and didn't want to irritate him. She thought her head and shoulder portrait of him was in good taste with a sense of dignity. He was surrounded, as was her style, by a subtle fringe of ghostly images of the habitat and critical events in its short history.

She'd sold several hundred prints of Muños, in a population of less than three thousand. That spoke to the high regard in which the people held Muños. That despite the fact she'd priced them
much
higher than her original intent, at the urging of Cindy and Frank, her mentors and employers.

Her drawings of Jon Davis, Robert Lewis, April Lewis, Dr. Nam-Kah Singh, Jeff Singh, Heather Anderson, Dr. Ajay Singh and Sylvia Anderson had all sold enough to justify her time spent making them, but Muños was the best seller.

The number of requests for private sittings and portraits of loved ones had overwhelmed her. The fact she'd even sold a few down below, when she'd done absolutely no advertising on Earth, had more mystified her than surprised her.

* * *

"Before I read the new form my committee created, was there anything your consultants on Home saw as a deal breaker or requirement beyond your ideas?" Rao Guohua asked.

"No, several of them suggested we hold out for the right to carry personal arms crossing your territory, but most felt you'd as soon agree to cut your head off with a rusty hacksaw blade as allow that. It was agreed that would probably be seen as something thrown out to derail any agreement instead of a serious request. There's a limit to bridging the cultural gap."

"I'm so glad. I'd be dismayed to have to present that to the committee. Just between us...I think a few of them would've just thrown up their hands and said to go ahead and bomb us."

"Yep, pretty much what I was trying to say. How did they take the rest of it?"

"The Committee of Temporary Governance acting for the Chinese nation offers to recognize Home as a sovereign state, to give both Chinese and Home citizens free travel rights across each other's territory, with guarantees of protection. To refrain from interfering directly or through third parties in the internal affairs of each other's politics, territory and relationship with others, including travel in other nations or unclaimed territory. To hinder none from seeking citizenship or licensing in the other's territory, but excluding dual citizenship. To allow unhindered economic acts between private parties of our nations. To take no judgments or actions against individuals outside their own country's legal structure. For China to send no armed vessels beyond the limit of L1 and Home to position no strategic weapons upon the Earth's surface or oceans. We both shall agree to seek no restitution for damages from previous acts of war and will hold no liability to individuals for their part in such acts of war."

"Very well thought out. I don't think we had any intention of setting weapons on Earth, but I don't see that as a problem."

"It seemed balanced. If we are being assigned limits you should be too."

"Ah, I understand now. I think I can present this to the Assembly in good conscience. I'll get back to you with a private statement if it is rejected, or a public announcement if they pass it."

"We are making the same offer to Ms. Anderson."

"You do realize this limits your solutions with Jeff Singh?" Jon asked.

"In what way?"

"Well if this is ratified, then you will be in violation and void it, if you assassinate him."

"It is our intention to reach an agreement with him. But we are hoping to keep the terms private for the dignity of the state."

"You want to save face by not having a public humiliation. I can understand that. It fits with what I understand about our cultural differences too. Despite how it looks from his public statements, Jeff isn't really full of himself. He may agree to keeping your settlement private, but he's a trader too. Don't be surprised if he wants a signed official document of the terms, that he'll agree to keep hidden as long as the terms are followed. Revealing it without cause would shame him deeply too. His personal word is much more important to his stature here and the willingness of people to do business with him, than a government's reputation."

"We are willing to sweeten the pot in other ways too. I believe we can come to an accommodation," Rao said. "Thank you for your advice."

* * *

To be published on Home net to ALL:

A state of war no longer exists between the People's Republic of China and Home citizen and Peer of Central, Jefferson Moses Singh. A mutual accommodation has been reached, privately satisfactory to both and there will be no further public announcements by either party.

Jeffery Moses Singh and the Committee of Temporary Governance

* * *

"Hello, Heather. I understand you have accepted the terms of peace with the Chinese just like Home?" Jeff asked.

"Yes, I didn't really get anything from them but an agreement to leave each other alone. In reality that's all I wanted in the first place. So I'm back to square one, minus two hundred ten rounds of very expensive cannon ammunition, a few thousand hours of work building our road system and three million cubic meters of debris to back fill. It isn't a very spectacular deal."

"I also settled with them. They explained that since they can no longer project an armed presence past L1, it seems impossible to them to maintain a lunar colony. So they are withdrawing their claims on all the territory recognized and mapped and marked around that post. I agreed to assume the burden of providing transportation to their nationals who wish to be repatriated since they no longer have a lunar capable shuttle in service. I'm going to bring them directly to Home and send those who wish on to China by commercial carrier. If you could send your jump bug, to lift them to the shuttles, that would be a lot cheaper than shuttle landings."

"That's still quite an expense. Why should
you
have to do that? Their moon base was never directly involved. How many do you have to move?"

"They estimate twenty six. And a dozen are electing to stay behind. The thing is, they don't want to leave the base just abandoned, so I had to agree to provide a civil structure, maintain order and assume responsibility for their safety and supply. I'd hoped you would agree to extend the umbrella of your sovereignty over the area. You can style it a dukedom or whatever you want, but I don't have time to go there and
run
it."

"Do you have anyone who could go with the jump bug and act as a civil administrator? Technically they are ceding all the infrastructure and things like rovers to me for my service. However I think we'd get much better cooperation and long term return from the property if you asked the dozen staying behind what they want to claim as personal property. I wouldn't let anybody get a strangle hold on their neighbors by claiming anything like the air plant, but certainly they should feel more secure having a private residence and at least some of the transportation."

"So you basically got their entire lunar territory in settlement?" Heather asked, stunned.

"I wouldn't call it that, especially publicly, please," he begged her. "I assumed a
responsibility
for a situation I helped create. As you said, it's going to be a large expense besides all the administrative work. I got a small cash grant to help me at first with the obligation, but I agreed to keep that private, as well as the amount, so the public doesn't get a false picture of our mutual intent. Somebody not understanding the work and expense involved might just think it was an unjustified windfall."

"Heavens, that would be terrible," Heather said in a flat voice.

"Do you have somebody who can do an inventory and survey and see what will be needed to be shipped in when the present supplies run low and find out how the folks who stayed behind intend to support themselves and who might need to be hired to serve the local community?"

"Does the local
lord
intend to cover salaries if I need to hire some of them?"

"Yes, although I'd rather trade in kind as much as possible."

"Are the locals aware they are choosing to stay behind in what will be a kingdom?"

"Yes, apparently you already have something of a reputation there. I called on com and spoke with the one fellow staying who was an administrative sort. He said it can't be any worse than working for a Central Committee."

"High praise," Heather said, with suspect sincerity.

"So will you do it?" Jeff asked.

"Yes, We shall send Annette, Dakota's oldest daughter to establish order."

"You enjoy saying that don't you?"

"It gives Us great pleasure. We love you and give Our love and greetings to Dame Lewis."

"I will, in direct quote. It will give me much pleasure and frost her cookies too."

Heather broke the connection and sat thinking. Jeff got a pretty good deal. Certainly enough even in the short term to square the damages they'd suffered. She hadn't thought to ask him what they should call it. The Chinese name obviously had to go. She didn't care for Latin and everything near it was stupid Anglicized. Perhaps some historic reference, she mused, or mythological. Even literary. Just the thing jumped to mind and she smiled. Camelot!

- The End -

© 2013 All rights reserved

The Last Part : Other Books and Links by Mackey Chandler

April (first in series)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077EOE2C

April is an exceptional young lady and something of a snoop. She finds herself involved with intrigues that stretch her abilities, after a chance run in with a spy. There is a terrible danger she and her friends and family will lose the only home she has ever known in orbit and be forced to live on the slum ball below. It's more than a teen should have to deal with. Fortunately she has a lot of smart friends and allies, who give them a thin technological edge in rebellion. It's a good thing, because things get very rough and dicey.

Down to Earth (sequel to April)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RGBIVK

April seems to make a habit of rescues. Now two lieutenants from the recent war appeal to her for help to reach Home. The secret they hold makes their escape doubtful. North America, the United States of North America, has been cheating on their treaty obligations and a public figure like April taking a very visible vacation there would be a good way to remind them of their obligations. Wouldn't it? Her family and business associates all think it is a great idea. She can serve a public purpose and do her rescue on the sly too. But things get difficult enough just getting back Home alive is going to be a challenge. It's a good thing she has some help. Why does everything have to be so complicated?

The Middle of Nowhere (third in April series)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Middle-Nowhere-April-ebook/dp/B00B1JJ7RQ

April returns home from her trip down to Earth unhappy with what she accomplished. Papa-san Santos is finishing her rescue of the Lieutenants, Her traitorous brother is dead and so many things are uncertain. The Chinese and North Americans both continue to give her and Home a hard time. But April, Jeff and Heather are gathering allies and power. China, trying to steal Singh technology, gets its hand slapped badly by Jeff and the Patriot Party in America is damaged, but not gone. Their project on the moon is not so easy for North America to shut down, especially with the Russians helping. Heather proves able to defend it forcefully. They really didn't know she owns a cannon. The three have their own bank now, Home is growing and April is quickly growing up into a formidable young woman, worthy of her partners.

A Different Perspective (fourth in April series)

http://www.amazon.com/Different-Perspective-April-ebook/dp/B00DFL42PU

Despite winning a war against one of the world's super powers and undertaking a mission to Earth to try to demonstrate their independence, April and her new nation still find their freedom tenuous. There are shortages and hostility and machinations against them behind the scenes. Their small technological lead on the Earthies is about the only advantage they have besides courage and sheer nerve. But they are attracting the right sort of people and if pressed, they still are capable of bold action. Home is growing physically and maturing. So is April.

Paper or Plastic?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RCLW68

Roger was medically discharged after his service in the Pan Arabic Protectorate, cutting off his chosen career path early. He is living in rural Sitra Falls, Oregon trying to deal with hyper-vigilance and ease back into civilian life.

When an unusual looking young woman enters his favorite breakfast place he befriends her. Little does he know he'll kill for her before lunch and start an adventure that will take him around the world and off planet.

When you have every sort of alphabet agency human and alien hunting for you survival is the hard part. But you might as well get rich too.

Family Law

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GQSZVS

You know people who love their dogs. They put them in their will. They forgo vacations to stay home and take care of them.

Can a dog love back or is it simple self interest? Affection or love? Unconditional or a meal-ticket? What if you dog could talk back? Would your dog be less lovable if he could tell you what he thinks, like your spouse? If he complained his kibbles were dry and boring, would your affection wear thin? I don't want to touch on what a cat might tell you...

Is the dog part of your family, or property? Who should decide that for you? How much more complicated will it be, if we meet really intelligent species, not human?

Humans don't have a very good history of defending the interests of others. Even variations of their own species. How will they treat 'people' in feathers or fur? Perhaps a more difficult question is: How will they treat us? Usually the people who answer these sort of questions have no desire to be on the pointy end of things. They are just minding their own business and it is thrust upon them. This story explores those questions