Alicia Jones 3: New Frontier Read Online Free PDF Page B

realized he either thought we’d reject him, or… something else
bad.
    When we took off he said, “If we sign this treaty, your, and
the other worlds, will truly defend us?  Many of our people find this hard
to believe, because of the way our race has treated them over the millennia.”
    I sighed, “You would understand, you were in much the same
position weren’t you?”
    He shrugged, “Perhaps, you could say we were second class
citizens, under the people at the home world, but that would mean every other
race was third class.”
    I frowned and decided to be bluntly honest, especially since
he could read me as well, “Earth would come.  I believe the rest would as
well, maybe not out of love for your planet or race, but because if they fail
to answer a call through the treaty, they would be kicked out, and no one would
come to their call.  Maybe in the future that can change?  Have the
Knomen colonies started to trade with others yet?”
    He shook his head, “What we have to offer, they can get
elsewhere.  We have nothing unique.”
    I laughed, “That’s not entirely true.  But I can see
why you haven’t even considered it.”
    He looked over at me in surprise, “What do we have?”
    I shrugged, “In the Knomen empire there were spies and
facilitators.  Obviously facilitators are a thing of the past, but spies
would be a good export.  Consider exploration, one of the things the
Knomen empire did well was recon on societies entering the stage where the FTL
discovery was imminent.  The emperor kept all that in the family, but
obviously that is no longer the case.
    “You can charge for some of you to go out, recon a world and
its laws, society, along with its customs and taboos.  Our race is the
only one that can do that easily, since we can change our aspect so readily.”
    He sighed, “But not many are needed.”
    I shook my head, “Not many were needed.  Without
that ridiculous five light year exploratory limit per year expansion and new
worlds are going to start popping up a lot more than in the past.  Another
thing you have going for you is soul reading.  Imagine showing up hired
for one world to make sure the other world is honest in their dealings. 
Then that world will want their very own soul reader for negotiation.  In other
worlds, use the strengths of our race to serve and help, instead of dominate.
    “And of course… for a price.”
    I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing with these
suggestions, but I didn’t think it could hurt.  They would need some kind
of export to afford imports, and the export of singular talents seemed obvious
to me.
    Marlon nodded, “I will think on this, and bring it up with
my leadership when I get back to our worlds.  If I may ask, what is your
intention toward the Knomen home world?  I only ask, because I fear if they
once again regain power, they will call us all traitors if we sign your
treaty.”
    I shrugged, “They are under enforced protection.  They
will remain that way until my cousin sees reason, or the people grow tired and
overthrow him.”
    Marlon muttered, “Enforced protection?”
    I nodded, “We are quarantining the planet and won’t let them
off, but we will also defend them if anyone tries to attack.  We bear the
responsibility of their lives, since we took away their ability to defend
themselves on their own.”
    Marlon asked thoughtfully, “And the other treaty worlds?”
    I shook my head, “The Knomen home world is not a part of the
treaty.  They aren’t required to weigh in, since it was only us who took
the system.  I don’t expect anyone else would lift a finger if they were
attacked, a hard truth, but I’m sure it comes as no surprise.”
    Marlon shook his head, “The colonies would, for the sake of
the population, if you could trust us not to try and displace your Earth
fleet.”
    I pondered that a moment, “I would trust you, but I’d need
to meet the command staff in person before I’d feel