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[Taken from UN video files. RBB]
The United Nations debate continued for seven hours, with breaks for morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon tea. It soon became clear that much more information was required by countries, not so much about the effects on individuals, but how membership would be implemented. What would happen when, the timescale, and how complications would be managed.
An amendment to the resolution, calling for more detailed implementation discussions was passed by one hundred and forty-nine votes in favour of further exploration, nine against. Thirty-five abstained.
‘Thank you for your time and effort today,’ said Perfect Okafor. ‘We will now adjourn for a week, during which time the Federation diplomatic team will continue to visit as many countries as possible. Yol Slindo Merofort will be in the lobby. Please speak to him about your own country’s needs. Yol Ruud will also be there and he will arrange a visit to a Federation world for any leader who has not yet taken a familiarisation trip. This meeting of the full General Assembly of the United Nations is now closed.’
She brought down her gavel and the assembly auditorium became a hubbub of noise as everyone wanted to speak to everyone else about some aspect or another.
The President of the United States was met by a substantial armed guard for his journey back to Washington. Security was a growing issue. An increasing number of individuals were trying to get membership stopped. They were mainly wealthy and, therefore, had extremely powerful friends and contacts, many of whom had no compunction about acting outside the law if the price was right!
««o»»
[Taken from secret White House Intranet files. RBB]
‘Joint Chiefs, you requested this meeting,’ said President Spence.
Bob Nixon and Generals Braun and Burko, and Admiral Mann sat on the comfortable suite which had the presidential shield rug at its focal point. Bob, sitting back in his seat to the right of the President, sipped his coffee and ate a Bourbon biscuit. To his right, an agitated General Braun hadn’t touched his coffee and was leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. Opposite him, Air Force General Burko and Admiral Mann both sat upright, straight backs, oozing military discipline.
‘Mr President, sir,’ said General Braun, ‘you’ve just voted to overturn the constitution and scrap the armed forces. You haven’t consulted any of us.’
Admiral Mann said, ‘None of us realised what John Slimbridge was doing, but we’re still concerned about the future. His explanation of what was going on was pretty damning.’
‘Please explain what’s happening, sir,’ said General Braun.
‘Membership requires the armed forces to be disbanded. I know this affects each of you as individuals, but I’d like you to consider the opportunities it offers too.’
‘Can’t see much in the way of opportunities,’ said General Braun.
‘War will be ended,’ said Bob Nixon. ‘It’s the most wonderful opportunity for people to spend their lives on more worthwhile pursuits.’
Admiral Mann spoke in anger, ‘You think the armed forces, who have defended this nation for nearly three centuries, are not worthwhile!’
‘That’s not what Bob meant... and you know it,’ said the President. ‘Surely peace on Earth would be a wonderful achievement and, in fact, was your objective too.’
‘You’ll be leaving us defenceless, sir. What if they turn out to be hostile?’ said General Braun.
‘The three of you need to learn more about the Federation,’ said the President. ‘Bob, set up with the Ambassador for the generals to be taken on a tour of a couple of Federation worlds.’
‘But, sir,’ said Admiral Mann, ‘surely we’ll still need some sort of rapid reaction force?’
‘Well, there might be a need for a small contingent to respond to natural disasters. Concentrate your thoughts on that,’ said the President.
‘The implications are worrying, Mr President,’ said General Burko, finally breaking his silence. ‘What if the Ruskies or Chinese try to catch us by surprise. There’d be nothing to stop them.’
‘But they’re in the same situation,’ said the President. ‘All weapons will be decommissioned.’
‘It would be easy to conceal a few nukes, sir,’ said General Burko.
‘You underestimate the Federation’s robots,’ said the President. ‘I am assured that no weapon will be able to escape their demilitarisation, when it begins.’
‘Ha – no organisation is that perfect,’ said General Burko.
‘I’ll be surprised and disappointed if you still think like that after visiting a world or two,’ said the President. ‘Our time is up now. Bob will get back to you with arrangements and you should take your deputies on the trip too.’
The President stood and returned to his desk. Bob ushered the Joint Chiefs out of the room and returned to stand beside the desk.
‘They worry me, Mr President. I’m going to increase the capability of the secret service’s bodyguards.’
‘Yes. Good idea. Keep me informed.’
««o»»
[Taken from Paula Wilson’s biographical notes on the Secretary General. RBB]
I was in the Secretary General’s sitting room, enjoying coffee and Danish pastries, awaiting the arrival of the diplomatic team. Perfect Okafor intended to find the best way for the implementation plan to be put to the Assembly.
The Ambassador, slim and distinguished, entered the room with Yol Merofort, Ya Mistorn, and Yol Herodeen following.
‘I was so sorry to hear of the incident at your Huntsville meeting, Ya Mistorn,’ said the Secretary General.
The flying cherub did two forward rolls in mid-air and replied, ‘Gave me a scare, Ya Okafor, but okay now.’
It was strange how we had all dropped into Galactic Standard the moment the delegation entered. I made a note about it so that I wouldn’t forget its significance when my notes became book prose.
‘We are taking more care since then,’ said Yol Merofort.
‘I was going to ask. What security do you now have at meetings?’ asked Ya Okafor.
‘Unfortunately, we only have one Terotonian with us, Ya Unsela. She is attending meetings when she can, but other than that we’re being accompanied by a couple of plain-clothed FEU operatives. They are able to throw up a shield if necessary,’ said the Ambassador.
‘What can Ya Unsela do?’
‘She can sense hostility before it erupts into action,’ said Yol Merofort.
‘Are you getting many questions about the military?’ asked Ya Okafor.
‘Not really,’ said Yol Merofort, ‘but we’re pretty sure it is being discussed between the heads of state and their own military.’
‘How will you introduce demilitarisation?’ asked Ya Okafor.
‘It isn’t that difficult, actually,’ said the Ambassador. ‘A shipload of nanobots, several million, will arrive and distribute themselves around the world. They will work with FEU officers to remove all weapons – they’ll be taken up to an orbiting freighter. The nanobots are almost undetectable so will have no problem seeking weapons out and directing the FEU to finding them.’
‘Most countries will not try to conceal them,’ added Ya Mistorn.
‘But those who do will be exposed. It is not usually the heads of state, but the heads of the military,’ said the Ambassador.
‘Ya Lyl Lindron is, this very moment, setting up a series of visits for senior military officers to visit Federation worlds,’ said Yol Herodeen. ‘President Spence suggested it and we are also going to take them to an FEU recruitment and training centre. They’ll be able to see what community service posts are available for their troops.’
‘So, some can join the FEU?’ asked Ya Okafor.
‘Oh, yes, we’d welcome that,’ said the Ambassador. ‘It becomes part of their community service work.’
‘By the way, I wanted to thank you for Darcy,’ said Ya Okafor.
‘It’s useful?’ asked the Ambassador.
‘I’m amazed at how useful. What’s extraordinary is how versatile it is.’
‘You’ve been putting it through its paces?’
‘Yes. It’s been cooking for me, cleaning the apartment, even driving me to and from here. It repotted an orchid for me, covering part of itself to stop the material getting on its surfaces. How would it know how to do that?’ asked Ya Okafor.
‘Remember, we’ve had intelligent robots for millennia,’ said Ya Mistorn.
‘I know, but it’s easy to forget. Paula’s leaving for ten days. Her sister’s wedding in Florida. She’s even got Darcy taking notes of my meetings until she returns. She’ll be out of a job after membership.’
‘Yes, they’re very flexible. The real breakthrough was when robots began to truly understand us and our needs. That, together with improved processing power allowed them to create the designs for more efficient versions of themselves and specific specialist machines with single functions. There is a plant maintenance bot which does everything from pruning to repotting and sizes vary to suit gardens or apartment window boxes,’ said the Ambassador. ‘Being able to look after each other and learning about living beings’ frailties made all the difference.’
‘Remarkable!’
‘If you were so inclined, you could live your entire life without having to move a muscle. They can feed you, wash you, dress you and deal with your bodily functions. All you’d need to do is be able to chew and digest,’ the Ambassador said, and they all laughed.
‘Right, Ambassador,’ said Ya Okafor, becoming serious once more, ‘let’s sort out how the implementation works, and we can then prepare a presentation for the next General Assembly.’