With thanks to Tim McCleerey and Anita Madson for their continued support and helpful inputs.

My-day-on-Luna 2667 (although actually it is night...)

It has been almost two years (two LUNAR years) since the Great and Sacred Leader "orphaned" what is now the Lian system. We believe he did it in a fit of pique, angry that the lucrative SafeGuard Corporation - which he had tried to nationalize (we suspect he actually wanted PERSONAL ownership) - could no longer be physically under his control (having been relocated to the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo system.)

But there was also racism in his decision: most of the remaining inhabitants of the "Lian" system are Lians - the secondary population of our original planet Uralia (now sizzling inside our expanding star.) While some Lians (the "somewhat valued" ones) WERE relocated to the new (Botslean) Uralia, the majority were left behind - viewed as being insufficiently compliant and reverent to the Great and Sacred Leader. And (Botslean) Uralia is far closer to being 100% Uran than our original population, which was close to 50-50. Rumor has it that Lians on the new Uralia are actually treated as second class citizens, or maybe even as "subjects," not citizens at all.

Certain Urans were also insufficiently compliant and reverent, and they, too, were left behind in the Lian system. Clmntr and Lnbršr fall into this category.

In these (almost) two years, the Lian system has scrambled to create a working Government. Studying the recent Uralian Government, we knew what we DID NOT want, but creating a Government from scratch is actually pretty challenging. It seems to be happening incrementally: we try something until it doesn't work, then make adjustments and carry on. We appear to be narrowing in on something that will work. I'm hoping it is not an illusion.

Of course, while we do have a looming star expansion to be nervous about, one advantage that the Lian system has is a good income: taxes from SafeGuard and from the new Botslean mining concession with Ratihinaconaxemuwezo on Lia2 (previously known as Uralia2) allow the fledgling Government to invest in necessary programs. Some are necessary for creating the Government itself: buildings have been constructed and renovated on Lia3 to house Government offices. Workers have been hired. Elections have been held for Representatives and Judges. We are nervous about creating a new Leader, so we are putting that off for a while.

Some of our expenditures have been sort of psychological: events to foster a "Lian" identity. Most have been to uplift citizens' morale who were, after all, not deemed sufficiently "valuable" by the old regime. While it is, in certain ways, a COMPLIMENT not to be valued by the Leader, it is also a put-down, especially for the Urans who were left behind.

And, what we would REALLY like to do is to get rid of this whole Uran/Lian thing and create a mentality where we are all the same. After all, we ARE the same species; it is just that we were living on different continents on the original Uralia a thousand years ago. At most we have somewhat different cultures.

It has been a hard two years, but I think the trajectory has been positive.

For myself, the best part of this new system is that I DON'T GET COM CALLS AT 3AM FROM THE GREAT AND SACRED LEADER! It is pleasant to be able to sleep through the night undisturbed by incoherent ranting.

So, it is an unpleasant reminder of the past when, at 3:07am, while I am all cozy and asleep on my perch with Kitty snuggled on my foot, I get a com call.

"Xep gull," I mumble. The com is able to detect that I meant to say "Accept call" and connects me. "Hwa?" I answer.

It is Dnhns from Ura4, my original home. "We've been attacked!" she cries.

"Huh?" I ask, my eyes opening reluctantly.

"Uralia has attacked a Ratihinaconaxemuwezo mining vessel near Lia2!"

"How so?" I am unwinding myself from my sleep perch and not lively enough to be intelligent. Kitty is indignant to be disturbed. She relocates to the end of the perch.

Dnhns sighs. "Did I wake you up?"

"Sorta... It's the middle of the night here..."

"Sorry. The attack just happened. About a twelfth of a day ago. The Ratihinaconaxemuwezo mining vessel was just entering orbit. A Uralian Destroyer suddenly appeared and fired on them."

"Of course, being Uralian, they missed," I yawn and stretch.

"True. But they were close..."

"And the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo, being Ratihinaconaxemuwezo, annihilated them into elemental fragments."

"They did."

Even a Ratihinaconaxemuwezo mining vessel, given Ratihinaconaxemuwezo's history, carries weapons more powerful than any Uralian ones, even on a Destroyer. And they are trained and adept at using them... Uralians not so much.

I am fully awake now, but my thinking is still muzzy. "Do we know why?"

"Our spies have been noticing unusual Uralian Government meetings and activity, and our com monitors have detected unusual coded messages."

My com is buzzing again, even though I am already receiving a call. "Accept new message," I tell it. Dnhns's com is also buzzing. It is our Government.

"Uralia's Leader has just issued a message to the Uralian people. This message reads:

A short time ago, the Uralian Military carried out a massive precision strike on the illegal Ratihinaconaxemuwezo mining facilities on Uralia2. Uralian separatists in the system with the red giant star and the SafeGuard traitors are colluding with the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo on this illegal operation to undermine Uralian peace and security.

Everybody heard that name for years as they built this horribly destructive enterprise. Our objective was the destruction of their mining capacity and a stop to the threat posed by the Galaxy’s number one planetary sponsor of terror.

Tonight, I can report to the world that the strike was a spectacular military success. Ratihinaconaxemuwezo’s key mining facilities - mining compounds used to power their weapons used to terrorize the Galaxy - have been completely and totally obliterated. Ratihinaconaxemuwezo, the bully of the Galaxy, must now make peace.

If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.

For years, Ratihinaconaxemuwezo has been saying, “Death to Uralia, death to the Galaxy.”

I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen.

It will not continue.

I want to thank the Uralian Military for the wonderful job they’ve done and, most importantly, I want to congratulate the great Uralian patriots who flew that magnificent machine today, and all of the Uralian Military on an operation the likes of which the Galaxy has not seen in many, many decades.

Hopefully, we will no longer need their services in this capacity. I hope that’s so.

With all of that being said, this cannot continue.

There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Ratihinaconaxemuwezo - far greater than we have witnessed today.

Remember, there are many targets left. Today’s was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal, but if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.

There’s no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight, not even close. There has never been a military that could do what took place just a little while ago.

I want to just thank everybody, and in particular, the Powers Ruling the Universe.

I want to just say, “We love you, Powers, and we love our great military. Protect them.”

Thank you very much. Thank you.

The com address ends.

Dnhns, the chemist, comes to the fore: "the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo aren't using the compounds to power weapons but to stabilize their deteriorating atmosphere!"

"Remember, the Leader is anti-science. Such trivial details wouldn't interest him."

Dnhns scoffs. "And he apparently doesn't know his Destroyer was destroyed! That he LOST that encounter...He's declaring victory."

"He would. He would declare victory if he were the only Uralian left standing." I sigh in frustration. "So, are we at war...? Do we have to create a MILITARY???"

Dnhns sighs. "Maybe it's not a formal declaration of war. And war against whom? Lia? The Ratihinaconaxemuwezo? SafeGuard?"

"I hope it's the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo. They LOVE a good war."

"And any newly created Lian Military would be even more incompetent than even the Uralian Military."

I think a bit. "Surely even the Uralians, hearing him, will think: 'Hmm... the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo fight EVERYBODY. ALL THE TIME. AND THEY ALWAYS WIN. Surely our incompetent Uralian Military couldn't POSSIBLY have destroyed their probably-heavily-guarded mining facility.' "

"His followers believe everything he says. I'm surprised he bothers to thank the Powers in his speech rather than just thanking himself..."

The com is buzzing again. It is Grtscb, our SafeGuard Agent on Ratihinaconaxemuwezo. It is going to be a long night.

***

Obviously the Uralians had no idea they would run afoul of the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo when they entered the Lian system. Even the Leader would not have the hubris to plan to attack the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo - even a mining vessel - all of their vessels are well-armed and their crews are well-trained.

So, were the Uralians maybe attacking the mining operation? To reduce funds for the Lian Government? To sabotage the Botslean Corporation, which they know is a subsidiary of SafeGuard?

The mine is underground. A Destroyer would not have the tools needed to destroy an underground mine. A Uralian crew would not have the training. A sane Government would have sent a Penetrator for such an operation.

Does Uralia even have a Penetrator? Maybe they sent a Destroyer as their best alternative?

And, if not destroying the mine, what were they doing in the Lian system?

***

For once the Lian Embassy is busy. Lunar Government representatives come for a briefing and then camp out hoping to overhear updates they might not receive otherwise.

The Ratihinaconaxemuwezo Ambassadors ACTUALLY COME for a meeting. It is a slogan among the xenos that the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo never attend events and meetings because every time they attend a meeting they start a new war. Members of their upper caste (the ones who become Ambassadors) are condescending, patronizing, arrogant, haughty, overbearing, supercilious, imperious, insulting and hostile.

Our meeting with their Ambassadors on Luna justifies this stereotype. While my previous encounters with Ratihinaconaxemuwezo miners had been, if not pleasant, at least productive, Clmntr and I find their Ambassadors to be grating. They verge on being offensive with every sentence. We grit our (many) teeth and try to stay out of a war with them. After all, they were attacked; they have a right to be testy. And they have agreed with the Lian Government to patrol our system in case Uralians really are at war with the Lians.

(How does Grtscb STAND living on their planet???)

As the day progresses, each of the xeno Ambassadors visits the Embassy; most are offering sympathy. The Gilgot offer Military assistance. Clmntr and I are grateful for the offer. We may need all the help we can get!

Our spies on Uralia make an interesting report: The Uralians had only three Destroyers. Now they have two.

We don't pass this information on to the Lunars. Even though they are not going to attack the Uralians (they don't even leave Luna for trade or transport) it seems like something that should be classified.

This could be good news - it seems unlikely that even Uralia would declare war with only two Destroyers (especially on the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo!) But with a Leader that thinks he is one of the Powers...?

And, the primary question remains: who would the war be against... the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo? The Lian system? SafeGuard?

***

Clmntr and I are hiding at the FastFood (assuming feathered raptors can hide...) We are craving chicken nuggets, our comfort food.

Yaeyeia rolls up to our table.

"I assumed you would be here," she says. Her Aide joins us with a mega-burger full meal. I remember what the beef actually is made of and shudder.

"We're hiding," I inform her.

"Great plan. Are you at war yet?"

"Not that we know of..."

"The Gilgot have offered to defend us," Clmntr informs her.

"Hmm... the Gilgot and the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo defending you... they'll probably end up attacking each other and destroying the Universe in the process."

Now it's the Aide who is shuddering. He still has unpleasant memories of the Gilgot who chewed off his hand several years ago while trying to eat him.

"We still don't have a clue what any of this is about," I tell her. "Uralia could declare war on the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo or on Lia or even on Safeguard..."

"Wars are about money or real estate, or about an insult," Yaeyeia asserts.

"Has Oeyiah had many wars?" Clmntr asks.

"None at all. No one wants to fight plants. And if anyone landed on our planet to take over the place, the trees would stop them. They're really strong and really smart and really mean."

I think about her statement about what causes wars for a while. It's probably more complex than that. But, for a one-liner, it's probably close to being accurate. Ratihinaconaxemuwezo wars are always about an insult. Gilgot wars are always about money. Dr. Madson's tales of Earth wars are usually about land. Although Earth's World War I seems to have been about nothing at all. And occasionally, they are just about wanting to wipe another group out - although that could still be about land if the wiper-outers move onto the property of the wipees.

What would a war with Uralia be about? It would depend upon WHO Uralia is targeting. And we have no idea who that is.

And the worst thing is... we don't want a war against Uralia! By anybody! They are our people, and we don't want them to be harmed. We want them to succeed on their new planet.

But, while they're doing that, they need to leave us Lians alone...

Our spies on Uralia call.

OK, we now know who the Leader is targeting: us. The Directors of SafeGuard. The Destroyer was in the Lian system targeting Dnhns and me.

Because all personnel records were lost during the move from Uralia2 to (Botslean) Uralia, the Uralians don't actually know where we are. (Hurray for that!) They were targeting Lia4 as the most likely place to find prominent SafeGuard leaders, and that actually IS where the majority are living. They planned to send troop transport mini-vessels down to the Lia4 space docks and mount a surface (well OK, a cavern) invasion.

With no idea such an attack was coming, it would have been a bloodbath.

So, using Yaeyeia's statement, this "war" is about an insult: the Leader thinks that we Lians are being too successful and making him look bad. After he "orphaned" the Lian system, Lians were supposed to wither away and die out... maybe beg for help from the Leader. Since the reason we didn't was, to a great extent, money and personnel from SafeGuard (for example, Lzyrnl is the Lian Government Representative from Lia4 and Frdjkn is a Judge) the Leader's big FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT WIN WIN WIN against the Lian system is an embarrassing failure.

The Ratihinaconaxemuwezo are patrolling the Lian system. The Uralians are not going to mount a successful invasion against them with only two Destroyers. Dnhns and the other Directors are safe.

Grtscb is safest of all on Ratihinaconaxemuwezo.

The Uralians apparently do not know (yet) that I am on Luna. But I'm at risk. As soon as they find out I'm on Luna... and that is inevitable...

Yaeyeia points out that to eliminate me, they won't even NEED a Destroyer. They can just send an assassin on a transport.

I thank her for her optimistic thought.

I call the Gilgot.

***

Lnbršr is monitoring transport activity to Luna. I assume the Lian Intelligence Service is doing the same thing. Lt. Forbes assures me Lunar Law Enforcement (not Luna City, the whole of Luna!) is also involved.

Wan and Juan purchase blasters and start training. They want me to join them. I am not good with things that must be aimed. If I shot a blaster, biologicals for a block around would be in danger.

I do buy blaster-gloves for them; they are pricey, but I don't want their hands to be damaged like Tfns' were when she used a blaster.

The Gilgot assign a Guardian to me. She always looks like she is hungry. I feel safer from assassins but more in danger of being eaten.

***

The Leader formally declares war on the Lian system. Even the Leader is not foolish enough to declare war on the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo! Luna is (thankfully!) not included in the declaration. But the Leader has zero interest in Galactic Law and would have no problem attacking a neutral planetoid - in fact, since neutrals might not be expecting an attack, they would be the easiest targets to assure a win win win.

It is amazing to me that even the Leader would declare war with only two Destroyers. Especially since they have evidence that the Ratihinaconaxemuwezo are protecting the Lian system.

Our spies on Uralia report a new finding:

The Leader has placed an order for ten new Destroyers with the Xx.

***

Yaeyeia, her Aide, Clmntr, Lnbršr, my (disconcerting) Guardian, and I are meeting with the Xx at a small meeting room in the Lunar Government building.

"We always fulfill our contracts," the Xx are spelling.

"But they're trying to eradicate the Lian system! They want to kill Ptsgbw!" Yaeyeia wails. I didn't know her communication system could simulate a wail. It can.

Their petri jar wiggles a bit... maybe uncomfortably? "That is unfortunate," the Xx agree.

I'm glad they view my imminent demise and the destruction of my star system as "unfortunate."

Lnbršr is doing a slow burn but hasn't hit anything yet.

"I believed we were allies," Clmntr says in disappointment.

"We are," agrees the Xx. They obviously have different expectations from "allies" than we do.

Everyone looks at me. I can't actually tell if Yaeyeia is looking at me; but we are good friends - I know she IS looking at me. Maybe the Xx are not looking at me... I only thought we were friends, so I can't tell.

"But the Xx always fulfill their contracts," I quote.

"We do," they spell.

"Unfortunately," they reiterate.

I am so reassured...

Now I'm the one who wants to hit something. Preferably the Xx. Shatter their petri dish across the room.

And that would be "unfortunate" in the Lunar Government Building. They prefer us to keep our composure.

***

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties, requiring an offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, and lawful purpose. "Consideration" means "value exchanged."

The Xx are perfectly willing to provide ten Destroyers, tailored to meet the needs of Uralian physiology and weapons, provided the Uralians exchange them for capital or acceptable goods or services which the Xx agree are equal in value to ten Destroyers.

The Uralians are on a new planet, with no goods or services they can use for exchanges and with huge NECESSARY expenses related to settling on their new planet. These expenses are barely covered by their much reduced capital, now limited to the 70% of annual profits paid by SafeGuard, since they are no longer receiving SafeGuard taxes. They cannot meet their part of the contract. In fact, they could not afford to pay for even ONE Destroyer to replace the one that has been destroyed.

The Leader commands his citizens to cut back on expenditures for frivolous things like imported food (not enough food can yet be produced on the new Uralia to feed the population), potable water (which is not available on the new Uralia, so it must be transported in while recycling plants are being constructed), air (Uralians breathe air in bottles (also imported) while atmospheric adjustment plants are being constructed. These "unnecessary" expenditures are preventing the Leader from protecting the Planetary Security of Uralia!

I'm thinking you should postpone invading other planets until your own planet has been made habitable.

So, our Lian System is safe (for now.)

But assassins are cheap. A patriot and true believer might even do the job for free. I am still in danger.

Although my most immediate danger may be from my Guardian. She decides my apartment (with three entrances) cannot be adequately defended. She insists I move to the basement rec room. It has only one door, no windows, and doesn't even have plumbing or power that might allow for infiltration of an assassin-dweebel.

I grudgingly move my sleep perch there. But I insist on safety features of my own: I install a lock on the door - the Guardian can sleep just outside it. And I purchase and install a motion detector inside and set it for "Gilgot." I don't want to be my Guardian's midnight snack!

And my Guardian insists I must not do business in the Ambassadorial Offices - the Offices are even more indefensible than my apartment. We all move our desks down to the rec room. Juan and Wan view this as an improvement - they can work on their ping-pong and pool skills during slow work times.

Luckily the basement is so large that even as a bedroom/office/rec room there is still a lot of free space.

I have to watch Kitty every second for fear my Guardian might view her as an appetizer.

***

Try as I might, I cannot view the Xx as my friends anymore.

The Xx value a contract over our friendship, or at least over my life and the life of my stellar system.

Vldšng valued her loyalty to the Leader over our friendship.

Tfns valued finding a mate over our... well... OK Tfns NEVER liked me... but maybe she WOULD have if she had not valued acquiring a mate over developing a friendship.

But, could it be that I am valuing my life over my friendship with the Xx?

Am I just Vldšng with a different priority?

I'm not sure...

And she at least - it can be argued - has been hypnotized by the Leader...

...

But I still can't trust the Xx.

How can they be my friends if I can't trust them?

...

I think I could think better over some chicken nuggets...

But...

I would have to bring my Guardian along to the FastFood...

I'm not sure she could be relied on NOT to eat the other customers...

Certainly she would put a crimp in their enjoyment of their dinner...

...

I place an order for delivery...