GUNS OF WAR - Prologue

Prologue

Year 2751 – Lyra Constellation

         Emperor Tiberius Terhana stood at the bank of windows overlooking Constantinople with its many spires and starscrapers pointing to the heavens.  Founded in earth year 2196, his ancestors had constructed the city after its namesake made famous by Emperor Constantine of Old Earth.  A smile always touched his lips as he eyed the modern architecture, which resembled that of early Byzantium.  He watched as air trains rushed between and around the various superstructures, taking people where they needed and wanted to go.  Transport shuttles filled the skies, seemingly oblivious to the chaos their world was in with the guns of war shaking their world with aircraft and missiles from Sheliak.  He watched as transports with delegates from the various stars landed at the palace.  Soon negotiations would begin and the way of peace sought in the two hundred-earth-year war with Sheliak in the Lyra Constellation and in particular his star, Vega.

         Vega had a semi-barren landscape due to its desert like climate.  Trees and shrubs scattered across the terrain causing the Byzantine architecture to stand out and glimmer against the deep blue sky.  He turned his attention from landscape and architecture to the teakwood-paneled room.  As a connoisseur of ancient architecture and history, the Terhana dynasty had fashioned the city and palace after many of the different colorful legends and myths of Old Earth.  Around the council chamber, known as the Chamber of Laws, a large circular room, he saw again the massive round two-toned acacia conference table fashioned after the legend of Camelot of Old English lore.  A gold and crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling over the table.  On the walls hung standards, swords, and the coat of arms for the Terhana family dynasty.  A gold shield held up by a lion on either side with a dove symbolizing peace at the top of the shield, and divided into three parts.  In the upper left of the shield was a transport on a field of stars, Old Earth in the upper right, and in the lower half an eagle standing for unity and strength.  A cross pierced the top and bottom in the upper right and bottom left of the coat of arms, and a banner across the bottom of the shield bore the inscription – Blessed is the world whose God is ADONAI, and the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.  Beneath the dove at the top of the coat of arms it read – In ADONAI we trust.  Among the swords were two of the most famous, one from his ancestral people, Genghis Khan, and the other the famous Excalibur, King Arthur’s sword. 

         He turned as the council chamber door opened and his brother, Commodore Claudius Terhana and his aide, Sergeant Raheem Zeboiim, entered ahead of the delegates.

         “My Emperor, the emperors of New Genesis, Calypso, Euripides, Euphrosyne, and Sheliak, along with their delegates,” Commodore Terhana introduced as they entered the council chamber.

         Emperor Terhana bowed to each as Commodore Terhana’s aide seated them around the conference table with several pitchers of water, and plates of Vegan delicacies, a combination of Old Earth Chinese and Asian fruits brought to Vega – dragon fruit, mangosteen, and winter dates, along with a crystal water goblet in each place.  “Welcome, gentlemen.  Please be seated and we will get underway without delay.”  He gave a last ceremonial bow before sitting in the throne-like chair at the table.  “Welcome Emperor Hirohito, and honored guests.  Before you, you will find an itinerary of what we hope to accomplish during this summit.”  He waited while everyone opened the bound folder.  “You will see a schedule that I hope will not inconvenience anyone and will cover the necessary topics as we work together to bring peace to the constellation.”

         Emperor Hirohito looked up from the agenda.  “The only topic that needs addressing is your immediate surrender.  Otherwise this is a waste of our time.”

         Emperor Terhana stood behind his chair and faced Emperor Hirohito and his allied emperors.  “We are here to discuss peace, which is not the absence of conflict, you will find conflict at every stage of life, but rather it is a way to work through our conflicts.  Gentlemen, we have been at war for two hundred earth years, which equates to four hundred of our years.  Before our ancestors came to the Lyra Constellation from Old Earth, they faced decay and deprivation at their own hands.  They closed their ears to the warnings both from the scientific community and from religious communities.  Our ancestors denied the existence of Adonai.  Our ancestors laughed their spiritual leaders to scorn as they showed them from the Bible that if they didn’t do something to change their ways, they would pay a heavy price as Adonai would wreck havoc on earth.  Our ancestors continued to act as fools as they used up their precious commodity – the very air they needed to breathe.  They destroyed vegetation and killed off wildlife until they were all but extinct causing them to take a hard look at what they had done to themselves.  It was then they paid attention to what their spiritual advisors said.  Their spiritual advisors showed them how forsaking the laws and commands of Adonai in the care of the land Adonai gave them would destroy their world.  Our ancestors had one alternative left – the need to leave earth and search out the stars and planets for a new home.  A group of citizens decided the best way to survive was to take Adonai at His Word.  Our ancestors committed their lives to Him even as they lifted off from Old Earth to come here and make a new way of peace.  They pledged their lives to the freedom found in serving Adonai.  However, here among the stars our ancestors faced an even greater threat as servants of Adonai.  No sooner had our ancestors landed than traders from the stars came with another problem – symbiote implantation.  In exchange for a small device implanted under their skin, they would receive perfect health and longevity.  Those traders also told our ancestors that if they did not adhere to their religion they would face annihilation.  Our ancestors found that the religion they were to adhere to was nothing more than worship of humanism.  Humanism destroyed Old Earth.  Our ancestors were not going to succumb to it again out among the stars.  War ensued, and we have been at war to remain free to serve Adonai since.  We have not forsaken what our ancestors began, and we will not back down from our commitment to Adonai.  We seek only peace to live as we deem fit, not live in daily fear that death waits for anyone who professes Adonai.”

         Emperor Terhana sat at the table, and saw the other Emperors’ heads nod in agreement, as they watched Emperor Hirohito from Sheliak stand to his feet.  “It is no surprise that Old Earth suffered at your hands and you needed to make drastic changes to avoid the plagues of your own destruction.  Despair was part of your everyday lives.  As I look around your walls, I see the swords of war.  Emblems of your great past on earth, one you say caused your world destruction and decay.  You speak of peace, yet you show a much different milieu.  Your reluctance to embrace the way of life we offer has brought about the aggression of war.  I assure you, we of Sheliak would agree to peace with your immediate surrender.  Without it, we have nothing to discuss.”

         “What you speak about our past is correct.  These swords on our walls are emblems of our past.  They represent our greatest battles and victories.  They also represent an era of peace.  We do not come to this table today with any other objective except peace, but we will not succumb to that peace through implantation.”

         “We, of Sheliak, faced annihilation through decay and destruction the same as Old Earth, but we found many eons ago that we could live in harmony through implantation.  We also found implantation brought about long life and perfect health.  Our bodies do not decay as yours do.  Peace is an easy road for all to travel, paved with complete devotion to those ideals, which promote peace and harmony.  Implantation does that.  Through implantation, we have been able to build a better world for ourselves.  Sheliak is no longer a star on the verge of decay, but thrives with life in its rainforests and jungles.

         “It is also through implantation we found the ways of Adonai were nothing more than myths and fairytales told to children to keep them from knowing the truth of their own making.  Implantation is not destructive, but it will increase longevity and give everyone a reason for making his or her life better.  Your Adonai as you call your god is a destructive god.  He holds you to a way of life totally dependent on him, without thinking for yourself.  We will not submit to this God of yours, and stifle our citizens of the right to free thinking.  Reaching out to the stars to make a way for your people, was not in serving Adonai, but in serving the greater good of humankind.  We will help you make a better way of life, but we can only do that if we all work together for the greater good.”

         Emperor Terhana looked at the many faces around the table, making eye contact with each one.  “Many times throughout earth’s history, men and women tried to oppress people through religion and false hope.  They tried time and again to implant ideas and ways of life on people.  When we arrived in the star constellation known on earth as Lyra, we found implantation had already taken place in the group of people who settled on Sheliak, not an implantation of ideas, but one more destructive.  Your one and only purpose is to spread an idea that would make puppets out of anyone who followed your dictates.  You declared war on anyone who did not follow your religion.  You declared that anyone anywhere within the constellation Lyra who did not accept implantation was not worthy of life so you set out to wipe out everyone who worshiped Adonai.  Those people who populated Sheliak have long since been lost through implantation.  Symbiotes do not have anyone’s best interests at heart.  We here on Vega do not impose our religion on anyone.  We accept that people have their own beliefs.  However, you will find most of the people on Vega do worship Adonai and will not back down for any reason.”  Emperor Terhana stood to his feet.  “In so doing, your people from Sheliak took it upon yourselves to spread this implantation to citizens of the stars in Lyra, thus enslaving them to your teachings.  You would strip every citizen in this star system of the right to live in complete freedom, to make their own choices, and live as they deem fit.”  He watched as heads nodded among the several Emperors from the other stars, and murmured between them.  “You seek to tax everyone who worships Adonai, and not only that, you want the names of everyone who worships Adonai.  Your goal is the enslavement of every man, woman, and child in the Lyra system.  You would have them deny the truth, and bow down to you and you alone.  You would destroy a constellation as you bring suffocation to each person who will not succumb to your ways.  That, emperor is destructive, and does not bring freedom to anyone.  As we have discovered through the years, those implanted by your government become slaves.  They had no choice but to follow the dictates of their implantation.  In symbiotic implantation, the symbiote takes over the minds and will of the person and causes people to act in a manner completely foreign to their nature.  Emperor Hirohito that is more destructive than allowing free men everywhere the choice to live as they deem fit.”

         Emperor Hirohito once again stood and faced Emperor Terhana.  “You make a strong argument, but I have seen no evidence that Adonai, this God you cling to so ardently, takes care of your people or anyone who names his name.  Your own laws forbid anyone to do what they want.  You keep a tight rein on all citizens of Vega.  You know how many credits they have in their bank accounts.  Anytime they go on their computer, you monitor their activity.  You control jobs, and you make it almost impossible for anyone to leave your star.  Why is that?  Are you so afraid the people of Vega will learn the benefits of implantation and decide for themselves what is best for them?  Who is the puppet?  The people of Sheliak learned the benefits of implantation when they arrived on our star and chose it as the wisest decision.  It is our determination to show the people of Lyra what they miss out on when they do not take implantation.  Taxing everyone is our way of showing we stand behind implantation.  When every citizen of Lyra realizes and accepts implantation, there will be no need for taxation.  Until then, we impose the tax, and we will collect it.”

         Another Emperor stood to his feet.  “Emperor Hirohito.  I am Phares Salathiel from the planet Euphrosyne.  I am in complete agreement with Emperor Terhana.  We likewise of Euphrosyne found implantation distasteful.  Those who agreed to it soon found they acted in complete reversal of their former way of thinking and behavior.  Things they would never have done on Old Earth they embraced.  They had no control over anything they said or did.  How is what you offer beneficial to anyone?  We would sooner die as Christians of old did when emperors of Rome on Old Earth fed them to lions in an arena for believing in their Messiah, a Messiah who freed them from the old ways and gave them a new way of freedom that has survived through the millennia.  Yeshua, son of Adonai is the only way of peace among the stars and we will not yield to anything or anyone who comes against freedom found in Yeshua and Adonai.”

         Applause broke out among the other Emperors as Phares Salathiel sat again and turned his attention to Emperor Terhana.

         Emperor Hirohito stood to his feet a harsh look on his face.  “You say you are from Euphrosyne, a star Vega utilizes as a penal colony, a place where people who do not follow the dictates of Vega ultimately end up.”  He looked at Emperor Terhana.  “Who is the puppet, and who pulls the strings?  Yes, Emperor Terhana, we are very much aware of what happens on all the stars of this constellation.  You state you want freedom for all your people, yet your people live in fear that they will end up worse off than they are now.  On Sheliak we have no such dictates.  We allow our people to live as they wish; go wherever they want to go, and do whatever they want to do.  That is the Shelakian way.  Isn’t it true that if you allowed your people the freedom they desire, they would reach out to the stars, go wherever they wanted to go and do whatever they wanted to do?  Isn’t it true that as you monitor all your citizens you act in much the same way you claim we do with implantation?  Yet, Emperor Terhana, our people live in freedom, while yours live in fear, fear that the thoughts they think and the actions they make will see them sent to Euphrosyne.”

         “A government without government is no government, Emperor Hirohito,” said Emperor Terhana.  “Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘When you are doing something, ask yourself, is this step leading to a positive aim?  Will it lead others and me towards peace?’”

         “Who is this Mahatma Gandhi you speak of?” said Emperor Hirohito.

         “He was from the Old Earth country of India.  Mahatma Gandhi was a man of peace.  His message was to combat injustice and cruelty with the means of love and truth.”

         “So this Mahatma Gandhi is your Adonai?”

         “No, there is only one Adonai.  Mahatma Gandhi propitiated peace, which is what we are here to do.  Your way through implantation does not lead to peace, but subjugation and slavery.”

         “According to your perceptions of implantation, I wonder who is more restrictive.”  Emperor Hirohito stood and looked at each person around the table.  “I have maintained and will continue to maintain that our way of life causes less stress and no restrictions on whatever lifestyle our citizens wish to engage in.”

         “All your citizens are implanted, is that not correct, Emperor Hirohito?” said Salathiel.

         He nodded his head.

         “And your citizens enjoy long life and perfect health.”

         Again he nodded his head.

         “And you pull the strings on what your people do and don’t do.  You not only implant your citizens, but you program thoughts and actions into their subconscious so that they do not recognize their actions as anything but their own,” finished Emperor Salathiel.

         “Well said, Emperor Salathiel.”  Emperor Terhana sat forward in his chair his hands folded in front of him.  “I have long studied this war.  It is no different from the many wars the people on Old Earth suffered through the ages when men would try to suppress those opposed to their laws.  Are you familiar with the Exodus from Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs?  A man, fully conversant with Adonai, went to Pharaoh and demanded the release of his people to worship as they please.”

         “I have heard stories about Old Earth from those who settled on Sheliak when they first arrived.  Again, let me say we will not bow to Adonai.  We will not allow plagues to ruin our lives.  We will live in peace and harmony through symbiotic implantation.  The benefits of implantation are long life, freedom from disease, and the choice to live in any way they please.  Peace is what implantation offers.  Your Adonai does not offer peace but destruction to the hearts and minds of anyone who does not follow Adonai’s ways.  These stories are proof of what we learned about your people.  Destruction at all costs, and you would bring this philosophy here to the stars.”

         “So then by your own admission, you admit to the power of Adonai?” said Emperor Terhana.

         “I admitted no such thing.”

         “You said you would not allow plagues to ruin your lives.  In so saying, you admit to the power of Adonai.”

         Emperor Hirohito’s face turned purple with rage as he looked at each person, before he regained control, and turned his attention to Emperor Terhana.  “Your God is not our God and we will not bow down to or adhere to any of His dictates.”

         “And yet, as Emperor Salathiel stated, implantation causes people to act contrary to their normal mode of behavior.  We on New Genesis will not allow another person to fall prey to what you offer,” another emperor said.

         Emperor Hirohito turned his attention to the speaker, a disdainful look on his face.  “I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.”

         “I am Emperor Manasses Amon, Emperor.”

         “What you call myths and stories were actual events in Old Earth’s history.  When Egypt refused to allow Israel to return to the land promised by Adonai to their father, Abraham, Adonai showed His mighty power through the plagues He wrought upon Egypt.  He did that not to cause destruction, but to cause the heart and mind to realize only He, Adonai, had the power over life and death, not the many gods Egypt worshiped.  We will not allow anyone to enslave us nor undergo implantation.  We will remain free.  It is our right as supporters of Adonai, to remain free to worship in any manner we see fit.  We will not relinquish our rights to become slaves of foreign gods who will strip us of every right given to us,” another emperor said.

         “And you are?” said Emperor Hirohito.

         “Daniel Abiud, Emperor from Calypso.”

         “As you can see, Emperor Hirohito, the governments represented here by their emperors all feel the same way.  They will not submit to implantation, or turn away from Adonai and His Son, Yeshua,” Emperor Terhana said.

         “Emperor Hirohito, my name is Emperor Aristarchus Nikandros from Euripides.  Many of the people who settled our star, and that of Euphrosyne and Calypso, are from the Old Earth country of Greece.  We have a long history of the worship of other gods.  We found when it was too late, that the gods we worshiped were no gods at all, and the only God with any power, is Adonai.  By then we realized however, we had destroyed much of our ancient way of life.  Gone was the pure water of the Mediterranean Sea.  Even the sea life – dolphins in particular had become extinct.  We celebrated dolphins as favorable omens for sea travel.  With their extinction, and the pollution of our air and water, we realized our gods were myths and legends and the only true God is Adonai.  Only He had the power to turn our world back to its original beauty.  However, we also found it was too late for us.  Like the rest of Old Earth we needed to escape the destruction we caused and find refuge among the stars.  We brought with us not the ways of our gods, but the ways of Adonai.  Through Adonai, we have a thriving star in Euripides.  We will not bow down to or give our citizens to any god be they your god of humanism or any of the Greek mythical gods we worshiped in times past.”

         Emperor Hirohito poured himself a glass of water as he sat at the huge conference table in the Chamber of Laws, and directed his attention to the windows.  Again, he stood to his feet.  “From what I see of your planet, it is a wasteland, barren except for a few scrub trees and desert shrubs that do well for this star.  You used a process called terraforming to allow life on this star, yet it is no more than a desert.  Sheliak did not need terraforming because we have always had a lush environment, nothing like I see before me.  Why do you keep your people in bondage to your star, and a god who can do no more for them than what terraforming your star did?  They are a people wasting away their lives through your harsh dictates.  Your people would do much better and live longer through implantation.  What is your longevity now, two hundred years?  With implantation, you could live twice, three times as long and be able to accomplish a lot more, like making your wasteland into a lush planet.  Our longevity allows us to accomplish more for our planet as well as for ourselves.”

         Emperor Terhana quelled the unrest he felt as he looked around the table.  “Have you heard nothing of what the emperors from the other stars in this constellation have said?  Our life cycle has nothing to do with our reasons not to accept your implantation.  Neither does the state of our planet.  It is our freedom at stake.  Freedom implantation strips us of and makes us mere puppets of your government.”

         “Unlike Vega, our star, Calypso is a fertile planet with much lush vegetation.  Your claim that implantation would cause us to have not only a better way of life, but a better place to live is contrary to the facts found on other stars, including those of the other emperors represented here,” Emperor Abiud said.

         Emperor Hirohito continued as though uninterrupted.  “And yet you do not offer freedom to your people.  Aren’t you by your restrictions doing more harm than good to your citizens?  With implantation and as free citizens of Sheliak, everyone would have the right to do as they please to make their lives easier and more pleasant.”

         Emperor Terhana stood and looked around the table before setting his focus on Emperor Hirohito.  “Our laws guide our people to make wise decisions for their lives.  We do not allow our citizens free reign.  That would be the same as allowing a child to do whatever he or she wanted without consequence.  We follow the laws of Adonai set down in His book.  We have found it to be the greater good for all the people and they agree.  Implantation would bring chaos and abandonment to the lives of our citizens.  They would be without boundaries.  You might think your offer is for the good of everyone, but we have found it is not.  We prefer to think for ourselves and not have someone else think for us.  We will do whatever it takes to see to it we remain a free people.  Free from the confines of implantation.”

         Overhead the overwhelming noise of a missile shook the palace as the chandelier swayed and the windows shook from the overhead explosion.  Alarm covered everyone’s face as each looked to his neighbor and around the room, fear on their faces ready to flee the destruction Sheliak rained down on them.

         Emperor Terhana stood and raised his hands for order and calm.  “Set your minds at ease.  We are safe from attack.  No harm will come to anyone within the palace.”  Emperor Terhana looked directly at Emperor Hirohito.  “It was agreed that no act of aggression would take place during the Summit.”

         Emperor Hirohito kept his seat as he looked into the piercing gray eyes of Emperor Terhana.  “We made no such agreement.  We will lay aside this war only with your surrender, even on the pain of my death, should that take place.”

         Emperor Terhana watched the missiles mark their targets.  Though attacked, much of Vega had forcefield technology protecting them from certain annihilation and death.  Those without the technology saw the destruction of their lives, and he felt every scream of his people as they fled before their destroyers.  He turned his attention back to Emperor Hirohito.  “You speak only of longevity and perfect health.  Yet you do not speak about anything else your implantation does for a person.”

         “What else is there?  We offer protection under our laws and the freedom to do as we please.  You speak of freedom, yet restrain your people through a code of ethics so outdated they almost predate human history.  You live bound up by ridiculous laws that serve only the government.  No one is free on Vega.  We offer everyone the opportunity to go wherever he or she pleases.  We offer substantial benefits to all our people.”

         “Benefits that are in fact no benefits, as implantation chooses your lifestyle for you.  I and the other emperors present, have sought peace with you, to allow us to live our lives in the best manner we see fit, with some restraints, yes, as you would suggest, and without undue taxation.  Ruling governments in the past tried to tax others they sought to conquer.  I took the liberty to bring up a very old document from the Old Earth country the United States of America.  One such country that another imposed unfair taxes and restrictions on before they fought for and gained their independence.  We found these laws to be so liberating we made it part of our constitution.  I state this so you know from where these laws originated.  Listen to what some of these laws say.

         “Article three of the Bill of Rights for the United States of America reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

         “What you have proposed for over two hundred earth years is just the opposite.  You would deny us these freedoms, specifically of religion – the worship of Adonai.  Because of our worship of Adonai, you would take away our freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and the freedom to petition the government with our grievances.”

         Emperor Hirohito only shrugged and looked bored by the presentation.

         “Article four of the Bill of Rights: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

         “You would force us to lay down our arms, disband our militia, and not defend ourselves.  Emperor, that is beyond ridiculous.  You come in here spouting about our restraints, while imposing more.  Our goal is to live peaceable lives and be able to defend ourselves.”

         Emperor Hirohito spread his hands out toward Emperor Terhana.  “Those laws are all well and good, and do serve your people to a point, but under our protection you would not need a militia.  We would protect you.  As for your worship of Adonai, as I’ve already pointed out, you have no protection from a mythical god.  We would take care of all your citizens needs.”

         Emperor Terhana stood to his feet and slid his chair into the table, grasping the back of the chair he looked across the table at Emperor Hirohito.  “Your laws forbid anyone who is not from Sheliak to participate in any function of government.  We would be helpless, we would be without voice.”

         “You would have a voice through implantation.  Nothing else matters.”

         “We value our lives, Emperor.  We value our way of life.  Let me continue with Article six of the Bill of Rights.  The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

         “You have not only seized our people in this war, you have seized everything belonging to that person upon enforced implantation.  Once implantation takes place, you control the mind and will of the person.  They have no choice, but to do whatever the symbiote dictates.  Through implantation, you have complete control of the person.  Your freedom you speak about does not exist.

         “This goes along with Article seven of the Bill of Rights.  No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

         “With the symbiote having complete control of the person, the symbiote works against the person and causes criminal activity in the person, thus any criminal charges he or she would not be guilty of without implantation, because those crimes would never be committed, would cause undue duress on the part of the person infected by the symbiote.  More harm happens through symbiosis than to remain the free people we are.  I would appeal to your sense of justice and allow us to remain the peaceable people we are by nature and to worship as we please.  One last Bill of Rights we adopted – Article eight.  In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

         “When you implant a person against their will, that person no longer has the right of a trial, speedy or otherwise.  They receive no counsel for their defense, but without trial, found guilty and sentenced to death.  Where is justice?  You have none for the people you implant.”

         “We have no need of trials on Sheliak because there is no crime on Sheliak or among those implanted.  We are a free society.  Our people do as they please.  Their pleasure and freedom is our guarantee through implantation.”

         Every emperor stood and started to speak at once, making it difficult to hear what any one person said, as each shuffled and held up papers, and pointed fingers before Emperor Terhana raised his hands for a return to order.  When everyone sat again, Emperor Terhana turned his attention to Emperor Hirohito.  “Contrary to your claims, we have proof in the documents obtained from our citizens of the offenses you have brought to those you implant.  You do not offer freedom, but enslavement to your ideals and way of life.

         “These laws I read to you are also the same as the ones we encountered in many countries of Old Earth.  We are a free people, and we will remain free.  We adopted other laws as well, from various countries, as the people populated on Vega come from all of Old Earth, not just one place.  My people for instance are from Mongolia.  We seek peace not war.  We came here because we had destroyed our world; we have no intention to do the same here.

         “We are without defense under Sheliak law.  On Vega, we are free.  Free to worship as we please.  Not all Vegans worship Adonai.  We do not pressure anyone to believe in Adonai as you pressure us to partake in implantation.  We formulated our constitution on the laws of many great countries of Old Earth, not just the United States of America.”

         “I see you came to the table prepared in ways I did not expect.  I had heard many things about the Emperor of Vega.  However, we will not back down from what we feel is beneficial to everyone, and the only way to do that is to surrender your will through implantation.”

         “As you stated, it would be surrendering our will, and we will not do that.”

         “Then this war will continue until you see reason.  There is no harm in implantation, and until you see that your Adonai is what is restricting your people, we will continue to seek out everyone who names the name of Adonai, and bring them under implantation to show them that our way is really the best way.”

         “You would not seek implantation for those who do not profess Adonai?”

         “There is no need.  Those who do not profess Adonai have seen the benefits of implantation and submitted to the process.  We are getting nowhere with these so-called peace talks.  When you are ready for implantation, then we will talk again.”  Emperor Hirohito finished off his glass of water, stood to his feet, and left the room with his delegation.

         Sergeant Raheem Zeboiim hurried to open the door as Emperor Hirohito and his delegation marched past him.  Commodore Terhana led them through the palace to their transport, where amid missiles and ground attack, they soon fled to open space.

         Commodore Terhana issued a command to Raheem, and went back to the Chamber of Laws, where Emperor Terhana’s cabinet members and emperors from the other stars still sat around the table.  “I ensured the ceasefire was in effect while the Emperor’s transport leaves our airspace.”

         “Very good.  We will need to put together a new offensive,” Emperor Terhana said.

         “Last week it came to my attention that Sherman Sheffield, scientist and founder of BioTech Engineering and Space Technology, Incorporated, perfected a formula that would turn a star into a ball of ice.  I believe the intention is to give the stars a sense of seasons,” a cabinet member said.

         “Yes, I have heard how our people miss the four seasons, and some winter in particular for those who had come from that part of Old Earth where snow and ice was predominant.  I put the idea to him a couple years ago with the intention that it would be used to bring about a balance of seasons on Vega.”

         “We could use the formula he created in this war with Sheliak.  Their star is mostly rainforest and jungle.  A tropical star, which never knew the harshness of winter or as he stated, terraforming.”

         “Begging your pardon, Emperor, wouldn’t it be beneficial for us to gain control of the formula before we use it against Sheliak,” one of the cabinet members said.

         Emperor Terhana looked thoughtful for a few moments.  “We will need to bring Mr. Sheffield to the palace and speak with him.”

         “I will arrange it,” Commodore Terhana said.

         “I am also interested in this scientific discovery.  If it will make the people of Sheliak listen to reason, I know my government will be all for it,” Emperor Daniel Abiud said.

         “As will mine,” Emperor Phares Salathiel agreed.

         “If you are all agreed, discuss this in your government chambers.  I look forward to hearing what you all have to say about the ice formula,” Emperor Terhana said.

         “We will communicate through vid phone,” said Emperor Manasses Amon.

         “So be it.  This meeting is adjourned.  We will meet again when we have had time to discuss the ice formula with Mr. Sheffield.”

         “This ice formula, once it is implemented there is no turning back?” said Emperor Aristarchus Nikandros.

         “That is something we will need to determine.  We want the government of Sheliak to see reason, but we do not want to be unreasonable in return.  We will need a way to control the formula so that we will be able to reverse the effects as necessary,” Emperor Terhana said.

         “Mr. Sheffield is a member of our militia and holds the rank of First Admiral,” Commodore Terhana said.

         “We will need to keep him safe and see to it his formula is safe-guarded as well,” Emperor Terhana said.

         While they talked, missiles again blasted through air and ground forces in an effort to make the people of Vega surrender to Sheliak and implantation.

         Emperor Terhana watched as the emperors of the other star systems closed their folders on the agenda he had hoped to propose, yet hadn’t touched on.  “I am sorry we were unable to touch on any of the peace initiatives outlined in the itinerary in front of you.  Keep those itineraries, and should we have the opportunity again to meet around a peace table, we will bring up the topics outlined for discussion.”

         “I understand, Emperor Terhana, and I will bring these initiatives before my government on Calypso,” Emperor Daniel Abiud said.

         Emperor Terhana watched as the other emperors nodded their heads in agreement.  “It is good.  I look forward to discussing with you what your governments have to say about these initiatives.”

         As they prepared to leave Commodore Terhana stepped forward.  “If you will follow me, you will all be taken safely to your transports.”

         When the room was again empty, Emperor Terhana went to the windows and looked out on Vega.  Everywhere he looked; he saw the ravages of war in the architecture and pockmarked landscape.  He knew the same pockmarked terrain existed on all the stars in the Lyra system.  He thought about the prophecy that would usher in peace to the galaxy, and had hoped to embark on that path today.  It was not to be.  Instead, he wondered how his troops fared on the other stars.  He shook his head as he thought about the war that existed since well before he was born.