A Show of Force by Ryk Brown Page A

the bio-digital plague began to ravage the Earth and the worlds of the Sol sector, the Ark was sealed off to protect it from infection. It was discovered two hundred years ago, in the mountains on Earth. That is how we have achieved so much in such a short time.”
    “And as a member of the Alliance, we would share that knowledge with you, as well as provide you with the protection your world needs to defend itself against the Jung, should they return.”
    Minister Abrahms scanned their faces again, looking for any telltale signs of deceit, but found known. “And you will not tell us how to run our world?”
    “You will be free to govern you world as you see fit,” Admiral Dumar assured him. “We only require that you fulfill your obligations under the terms of the Alliance.”
    Minister Abrahms looked at the deck in front of him, rubbing his eyes and face. “It is still difficult to believe,” he said, “but I am convinced that you are being truthful with me. Therefore, I must be truthful with you.”
    Admiral Dumar and Nathan exchanged glances.
    “I am not Minister Abrahms,” the minister admitted. “I was sent in his stead, for fear that his life would be in danger should he attend the meeting himself.”
    Commander Telles almost smiled. “A logical precaution.”
    “I will, however, arrange for you to meet with the real Minister Abrahms, upon our return to Copora.” The fake minister looked at them. “You will be returning me to Copora, will you not?”
    Admiral Dumar smiled. “Indeed we will.”
    * * *
    “I appreciate your coming to update me about the liberation of Copora in person,” President Scott told his son.
    “It’s not a problem, sir,” Nathan assured his father. “It’s good for me to get out of the ship from time to time, especially to visit Earth. It serves to remind me what we’re trying to defend.”
    Dayton Scott leaned back in his chair, contemplating his son’s words. “I wouldn’t think your homeworld would be that easy to forget.”
    “It isn’t, really,” Nathan admitted. “It’s just that being cooped up in a ship, week after week, you forget what life is supposed to be like.”
    President Scott seemed surprised by his son’s statement. “Life is supposed to be what you make it. Each person has to find their own ‘normal’.”
    “That’s not what I mean,” Nathan said. “I’m not talking about the daily routines, friends and family, work… none of that. I’m talking about how human beings were meant to live. On a world, with gravity, air to breathe, sunlight on your face, surrounded by life in all its variety. On board, everything is manufactured, artificial. Your very life is dependent on systems that simulate a hospitable environment for humans. All of it can cease to function at a moment’s notice. On Earth, it’s all just there, all the time. You can depend on it. The possibility that it can suddenly be taken away from you never even enters your mind.”
    “I’m not sure most people on Earth would agree with you,” his father said. “At least not these days. Granted, the air is unlikely to suddenly vanish, but in many areas you still can’t go outside without a respirator and protective clothing. Everything that we had come to depend on… The availability of food, water, shelter… The protection of our freedoms and rights. The comfort of knowing that we would not be preyed upon every time we stepped out of our homes. The fact that we even had homes.”
    “I don’t think we’re talking about the same things,” Nathan insisted.
    “Oh, but we are. Just on different scales. ‘Security’ is not about protection. It’s about knowing that those things upon which you depend for your very existence will always be available to you. It’s simply a matter of perspective. Yours is interstellar. Mine is international. For the people of Earth, it is local… Be it neighborhoods, cities, provinces, countries, or continents. When you come back down to