Page 5 of Kailirex (Brides of the Mylos #6)
CHAPTER 5
KAILIREX
I stared across the table at the human delegation who couldn’t seem to stop gawking at me.
“Is there a problem?” Commander Gundar asked them.
“Only in that, we were right about you hiding things from us,” one of them, a baby faced, slightly pudgy male I estimated to be in his late thirties snapped. He pointed at me. “You never told us that you had other aliens working here. We agreed to you Mylos and the occasional permitted guest, not full time employees and residents.”
I raised an eyebrow at him, conveying how sardonic my reply was despite my even tone. “I assure you, I am Mylos, the same as everyone else within the Fleet. Whether by birth, marriage, or adoption, all Fleet personnel are.”
“But you’re green!” he burst out.
“Never heard of a green Mylos before,” another male agreed, this one older with what I believed humans called salt and pepper hair, a larger paunch, and fine creases around his eyes.
“I’d heard it wasn’t easy being green on Earth,” I quipped, paraphrasing Kermit the Frog.
“We’re not here to discuss the environment,” the first one snapped.
“I see you didn’t watch Sesame Street as a youngling,” I replied mildly.
His face scrunched up in confusion. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Kermit the Frog? Not Easy Being Green?”
The male turned his attention back to the Commander. “What is he talking about? Are we going to sit here talking about kid shows or have a serious discussion about this project of yours going forward or not?”
Commander Gundar gazed back at him calmly. “The ambassador gave me the impression that this delegation of yours was here to discuss precisely that, seeing as the project you are referring to is, as you referred to it, a kid’s show.”
“It’s an attempt at alien indoctrination is what it is!” the male countered, looking at his older associate for backup.
That male nodded. “We have enough problems with so-called educational programs alleging to teach literacy while lacing them with propaganda,” he declared.
I stared at the fool who’d just spoken. “Representative Leon Banks, correct?” He nodded. “I assure you we are not pushing any propaganda. In fact, I was hoping to invite both of you onto the show so you could explain to the young watching what your jobs are. How you help make laws for your people after they elect you. Maybe show them the grounds of your state capitols and the inside of your offices, as well as a photo of you sitting in a session of Congress, a still from your Congressional broadcasts - C-Span I believe it is called.”
They looked taken aback. “Well, that is, I don't know if we’d have the time. We’re very busy people,” he blustered.
“Perhaps one of your aides?” I suggested as the Commander tried to hide his grin. “Or your wife and children? She could share about your jobs as the Playtime Fleet makes a ‘visit’.” I used air quotes to indicate it would really just be a segment with a bit of pre-recorded video and stills shown.
“That sounds fine,” the first male, Representative Carlos Mathis, said. “Contact my office and I’m sure we can arrange something with my wife Shirley and son Tyler.”
I had somehow suspected that might be the case.
“But know this - we will be monitoring the content of your programming,” he continued as if that was some kind of threat. “We will block your programming if we see anything untoward.”
The Commander pursed his lips. “I thought censorship wasn’t allowed and stations were permitted to choose what they aired, as long as it didn’t break any existing laws.”
“Enemy propaganda would be considered illegal,” Mathis stated, with a look of superiority on his face.
“Enemy? I’m certain our ambassador would be surprised to hear we were enemies, as would the rest of the world.”
“Well, not now we aren’t,” Banks hurried to reply. “But if there is propaganda pushing an alien colonization agenda, that could change.”
I wanted to laugh out loud. Colonization agenda? It was absurd. Earth’s resources were already dangerously stretched out thin and they suffered from overpopulation. Besides, there were literally several hundred uninhabited planets ripe for such an endeavor if desired. I didn’t say any of that, however. “I assure you, that will not be the case.”
The Commander stood. “I’m sure you understand that we ourselves have a very busy schedule we made room in it for you, but that time was limited.”
“But we haven’t discussed your incarceration of the Humans First prisoner,” Mathis protested.
“And that is a conversation to be had between our respective ambassadors,” Gundar told him firmly. “It’s a matter plainly laid out in the terms of the treaty.” He ushered them out towards the door.
“But she’s a US citizen, as are the rest of the suspects!” Mathis continued.
“Doesn’t matter. The treaty was ratified by your government as well as the rest of the world’s. I must confess, I find it curious you object to us having them here to face Mylos justice but have never complained about anyone else.”
Mathis slammed his mouth shut, looking angry.
“What my colleague meant to say is, we wished to ascertain that you guarantee they will be treated fairly and transparently.”
“Uh huh.” Gundar pointed to himself. “Me Fleet Commander.” He pointed to me. “Him Public Relations.” He made an ‘X’ with his hands. “We no ambassadors.”
The duo stared at us dumbfounded.
“Why, I never!” Banks sputtered.
“Continue that thought on the shuttle, please.” He opened the conference room door, all but shoving them outside. “Please make sure they go straight to the shuttle, ride alone except for security and a pilot, and don’t cause a ruckus.”
The warriors outside the door saluted.
“This way, please,” one said to the pair.
“The President is going to hear about this!” Mathis sputtered. “And you can forget my help with your show! I won’t let my kid anywhere near it!”
Like I gave a damn about that. If I’d had to film such a segment, I would have, but mostly, I’d have been throwing sand in his eyes to make him leave us alone. As they walked away, I turned to face the Commander. “Will they be able to disrupt the show’s access?”
He shook his head. “Not really, no. And the ambassador informed me the Council said that they believe this proves that a bridge like this is entirely necessary, so they’ve allocated extra resources in case you need them.”
That’s all I needed to hear.
“Thank you, sir.” I saluted him before turning the opposite way our unpleasant guests had gone. Once on the elevator, I began to sing “It’s Not Easy Being Green”, just because.