CHAPTER 5: Turning Lies into Truth

The group of five Scythians gathered around the low metal table was misleading. Though only a limited number of Scythians were present in the Spartan council chamber the entire cognitive consciousness of the race was present. There was no spoken dialogue, no visual presentation and no animation whatsoever. There were only the silent figures, but they belied the mountainous decision before them. Thoughts flew around the Empire with uncharacteristic speed; unsettling thoughts born of a rising and perilous tide.

“Our Ambassador to Roma delivered the Terran strategy exactly as prescribed by our behavioral calculations. We accounted for every variable; however, there was no way to plan for psychotic emotional reactions. There could have been no way to predict Nazeera of Chem’s actions. Still, the information gained from our operatives in the Terran System may well prove valuable, and the directness of our threat may well buy us time.

“We now enter a dangerous and unplanned phase. If the Chem are indeed sincere in their warlike stance, as they seem to be, then they must believe we are just as determined in our defense: i.e. the Terran Stratagem.

“The miscalculation of Chem intentions has placed the Empire in a precarious position, however. By our calculations, the possibility of Chem overreaction to our probing was negligible. Yet Chem attacked nonetheless. In the decurns since the Chem incursion, we have noted no new activity along our frontier, but we cannot be overly comfortable. The Chem gave us no reason to expect their aggression prior to the destruction of our experimentation vessel. We must now decide whether Chem aggression will expand. The Chem are a thalamic race with ancient codes of emotional restrictions governing their behavior. These emotional codes limit rationale and logic in Chem actions, making them very difficult to predict. After our initial failure in estimating Chem reaction we must now come to a conclusion based on limited data. The central question to our dilemma is this: will the Chem escalate from murder to genocide?”

There was a long pause in the train of thought.

“Is it necessary to discard the socio-economic model all together? Admittedly the database for the Chem is as limited as is our historic contact with them, but it is hardly non-existent. We have free access to Chem ethernet broadcasts, and thus an accumulation of their socio-economic communication information over the last twenty millennia. Why would the model be so unreliable? There is no obvious reason for such an error. Can we conjecture, perhaps, that the failure of the model may be due to an individual’s interference as opposed to the calculated reaction of a culture at large? It is well understood that the socio-economic mathematical models are very accurate in estimating probable cultural actions, but virtually worthless in estimating individual actions. It could be proposed that Nazeera of Chem, with whom the final negotiations were brokered, has manipulated Chem policy by her own opinion and not through cultural evolution. In that case we must assume that we face an individual of great power and ruthless character who acts on personal opinion and not for the good of the whole.”

The original thought replied after a short pause.

“That line of reasoning is well worth noting. We note as well, however, the discrepancy of time in Chem actions. Certainly even the socio-economic model for the Chem showed an increased level of risk after the Terran strategy was introduced, but our experimentation ship was boarded, its crew murdered, and the Terran subject kidnapped immediately after Nazeera of Chem refused our overture. It takes at least seven decurns to travel from the Chem frontier to the region of Terra, and even then it would take a Chem scout ship some time to ascertain the correct coordinates. Terra’s position is not known without our empire inside one thousand cubic light years. Therefore, if Nazeera of Chem gave the order to send a scout ship into Scythian space then that order occurred in the midst of our negotiations. It is a small point, but it paints her as an individual capable of pro-active decisions as opposed to reaction. We must take this into account.”

“Point taken, but considering this individual’s characteristics is it your conclusion that Nazeera of Chem has formulated a complete plan of action consistent with her threats and that this plan has already been implemented?”

“That is our estimation. There is no data to support it, however. Our profiles are built upon the Chem culture and not individuals. The Chem are the most historically violent race in the known galaxy outside of Terra, and extraordinarily jealous of their ways. They are not above mimicry, however. The Chem are perhaps more fascinated with Terra than any of the other civilizations. Recall the Chem re-creation of Roma Terra’s gladiatorial games. The Chem have cultivated this bastardization of Terra’s Circus Maximus on their prison planet of Pantrixnia. The Chem revere Terrans, to a certain extent, as brother warriors, but it is also apparent that they fear them. Even the Chem would not breach intergalactic law so blatantly without some real concern.”

“That is, then, to our advantage, and it is our tasking now to increase that concern. Inaction is no longer an option.”

“It is then your opinion that Chem will pursue their threats?”

“They must, as the threats were issued in a public forum and are now common knowledge. Even considering the past failure of our model there is no rationale that results in the Chem reversing their position. We reiterate; they rule themselves with the irrational emotions of honor and pride. Nazeera of Chem and her people cannot now retract their threat. We face certain cultural genocide with inaction.”

“There remains only one option then. We must awaken the people of Alexander and unleash their legions on the foes of Scythia.”

There was a long silence.

“Is it within our capacity to control these beings?”

“Ours is the superior intellect.”

“Agreed, but the question remains.”

Another silence.

“At the moment we have no choice.”