A short story by Sha'Tara...

The Gathering 

- a short story  (very short!)
 
[Thoughts of a   ~burning woman~   Sha’Tara]


The Ancient surveyed the group with his mind.  "I see we are all gathered - let us proceed.  Agenda, please." 

Orija closes her eyes and intones: "This Great Gathering, ninth of a series of ten, is called to decide the fate of Earth as it is called -- or that part of it that lies within our jurisdiction."

"Very well.  Begin.  I recognize Volarian Mosl as the first delegate."

"The Volarians are, hm, have been, quite uncomfortable with the energies emanating from the Sol planet.  We are proposing a terminal solution before the discomfort spreads further.  It is known to us that some Belgelians have offered limited space folding capabilities to a segment of Earthian humans who claim descendancy from those known as the Nibiruans.  As a result we have been forced to strengthen our shields against the possibility of a sudden eruption of Earth humans -- whom we consider to be corrupted beyond redemption -- within our space.  The situation among my people is volatile as we have not had to deal with outer world aggression in long ages.  Even our oldest mages cannot remember the days of war.  We are asking, once more, that this Gathering do something definitive to resolve this issue.  We do not wish to wait for another Gathering.  If nothing is done now, our space guild will take action as it sees fit to protect both our space and our trade routes."

"Thank you Volarian Mosl.  Your position is clear to us.  Who else wishes to express thoughts on the Earthian problem?"

"I, Jessik, ambassador for the autarch of Narssis wish to express our thoughts on the matter?"

"Yes, ambassador Jessik, you may speak freely."

"Thank you.  I have a question to pose to the gathering.  Regarding the Earthian humans, as a species evolved on only one world, with limited intervention from outer world peoples, can it be said here, before this august gathering, that over the time we have watched them, they have been freely given all the necessary information needed to move in a direction,  or should I say, to develop in a way consistent with that of the rest of the Galactic family?  Can any Earthian claim that we, in some way, failed to give them all the necessary support to develop their minds and their hearts in accord with the Galactic aim of cooperation and mutual support for the sake of life?

This is of paramount importance to us Narssisians as adjudicators of the Galactic Code.  Should Earthians discover the workings within the Galaxy once they leave their planet, they may be instructed by some to put in a planetary claim that critical information was withheld from them and  further claim that whatever crime they could be charged with, such as genocide or planeticide, would not apply since they were ignorant of the basic requirements of the Galactic code?"

"The question has been heard and entered.  Would the Angels respond to ambassador Jessik's question?"

"We are the Angels of Aglamar" responds in perfect unison a chorus of voices from unseen entities scattered throughout the Gathering, "and we will respond to the question truthfully. 

Since the beginning, the Earthian human species has been observed, guided, taught and shepherded by the very best of our specially trained Guardians.  Many went and lived on the Sol planet Earth as teachers.  It was not unexpected that the earlier Guardians would be treated unfairly and unkindly by the fearful, hate-filled creatures.  It was however quite unheard of that this treatment would continue and intensify.  After waves of persecution of those who heard and obeyed the teachings of the Guardians, it was decided not to send any more.  We chose instead to contact Earthians through the use of thought forms, awakening empathy in some of them.  It was our thought that Earthians would be more likely to listen to their own.  But again experience gained on other worlds failed us here.  They did not listen. 

They used the knowledge brought to them to develop an inhuman form of technology that made them insensitive and brutish.  What limited knowledge of the good we sowed among them over the millennia was apparently and for all practical purposes, lost.  Few there are of Earth who today understand even a little of what life is about.  We have made plans with the Galactic Space Guild to attempt a rescue of this remnant. 

As Angel Guardians, it is our intent at this juncture to withdraw ourselves from any further involvement with that species of humanity.  Sadly we conclude they are lost.  We regret to so inform the Gathering."
 
"Ah, thank you Angel Guardians of Aglamar.  The darkness of sorrow clouds our thoughts.  Do we wish to continue this Gathering?"

"Representative Weill-Straat from Qobel."

"Yes, representative."

"Qobel resents the implication that Earth is of no value.  We have put much energy to develop a plan for adding Earth to our inter-planetary trade franchises.  Qobellian trade ships are orbiting the planet, out of the range of their scanners and shielded, of course, and await the results of several delegations sent surreptitiously to many of the greater Earthian trading houses which they call Corporations.  As always we are advocates of free choice, therefore free trade.  We believe that the Earthians are uniquely adapted to trade and understand its function better even than some Qobellians, to our shame.  There is a native trait in the Earthians that renders them immune to any suffering their trading may bring to life, including the life of members of their own species.  They understand the value and necessity of trade.  In fact, one of their most admirable traits is their willingness to sacrifice any number of lives for the benefit of trade and to go to war to protect and enhance trade on their world.  To us, the Earthians demonstrate the only hope for further advancement of civilization. The wish of Qobel is that we be given a free hand to fully interact with Earthian trading houses."

"Thank you, representative Qobel.  Is there anyone else here who wishes to address this issue?"

"Yes, I would please.  My name is Lisa Echabar.  I am, huh, was, from Earth."

"Lisa Echabar, Ambassador from Earth.  You may address the Gathering."

"I wish to say something profound on behalf of my world but after listening to the delegates, I am afraid my voice will seem rather small, frail and distant.  Perhaps even confused.  Yes, I am confused.  I wish to speak for Earth but everything said here about the people is, sadly, quite correct.  They have been given all the knowledge needed to live up to the demands of the Galactic Code.  I know because my tribe lived according to the code and we were happy and healthy for long years.  It was because of our adherence to the Code that my tribe was enslaved and finally destroyed.  Earth was an abundant planet.  No one ever needed to go without either food or shelter.  It was known, even to the technos that peace was better than war - but never quite as profitable.  It was known to all that health was better than disease, but also not as profitable.  It was known that cooperation was superior to aggression, but again, not as profitable. 

I have a complaint to voice at this Gathering and that is, when the predator/prey concept was introduced to Earth, where were the Angel Guardians then?  Did you not know that such a concept would bring horror upon a world designed originally to be a simple paradise of loving interaction between all the species of life upon it?  Or did you know but choose to do nothing to prevent this deadly poison from being brought to us? 

I will tell you what happened to my world and to my people.  Both were given free will and free choice much sooner than they were able to understand their implications and responsibilities. The freedom came before the knowledge was given.  So it turned to lust and degradation.  When the knowledge was finally introduced, it was too late.  The poison was burning in every heart and every mind.  Only those scattered in small tribes in deserts, mountains or small islands on the seas escaped for a time.  But it came to them also, and when it did, they died by the millions.  I myself was a victim of the technos. 

Perhaps it is not entirely the Earthians' fault that they are as they are.  Perhaps they are not redeemable, and certainly this Gathering cannot pay heed to Belgelian and Qobel desires to take advantage of their inhuman trait, their lack of empathy and their innate greed.  Better to let them destroy themselves and cause their planet to simply go to sleep under them, holding back her seasonal bounties until all surface life is gone.  Perhaps that would be the most compassionate thing to do. 

To bring them out of their world at their current state of understanding would be to plunge the galaxy in endless wars.  To allow them to proliferate more would be to increase the level of suffering the many must endure to support the luxuries of the few.  There is no balance on Earth.  What love there is, if it can be called that, is of a sexual or parochial nature - and predatory. 

Since those of us who were willing to demonstrate a better way; who would have made a difference, are not wanted on Earth and since the Angel Guardians have decided to abandon their efforts on behalf of those who were once my people - but are no longer - I don't know what else to say.  I am not condemning; I am not accepting.  I am simply allowing.  Please understand I do not seek redress, vengeance or justice for myself in this.  I only wished to share my awareness and experience.  May this Gathering act wisely in this grave matter."

"Thank you, Lisa Echabar, ambassador for Earth.  Your thoughts are felt and understood by the Gathering."


Writer’s comments:

Earth humans are a pretty smug species.  That such as the above could actually be taking place seems of no consequence here.  It's business as usual.  That over 30,000 innocents die each day of preventable causes is acceptable collateral damage for the sake of free trade.  "The spice must flow" as is said in Dune.  Whatever the cost, resources must flow to the factories, and the goods must flow to the stores and from thence, to the homes to be turned into garbage.  That such garbage and effluent require the living sacrifice of 30,000 innocents - mostly babies and young children - each and every day, is cool with most.  It is not shocking revelation, just more "so what".

Do we possess the knowledge to make our world into a paradise but simply refuse to do so?  Are we without empathy for those who suffer and die because of the system we support for our selfish ends?  Are we doomed?  Are we an unredeemable species?  Is there no longer any choice, or are we simply unwilling to pay the price required of change?

And what is that price?  What does life demand of us?  Of me?