The surface of the lake broke as Geheran's transport climbed into the air. Landing struts withdrew into the fuselage as the ship pitched upward and began to accelerate.

As the ship reached orbit, the belly of the transport split and spread open to reveal a gold plated Draken--the Emissarial Transport.

The golden Draken slowly descended from the belly of the transport. Although the Emissarial Transport was capable of dimensional travel, the gold plating would have been stripped in the transition from dimensional to normal space. The standard transport was used as a delivery vehicle to preserve the impressive appearance of the craft. The gold plating also allowed radar to track the normally radar-invisible craft when electronic countermeasures were disabled, a desirable effect when trying to establish trust with a new species.

The Emissarial Transport headed on a return course for the planet. The ship accelerated to its top atmospheric speed as it headed towards the coordinates of the airfield where the human diplomats would be waiting.

The airfield was secluded and well secured from trespassers and unwanted observers by armed soldiers around the perimeter. The President and her staff, United Nations ambassadors and foreign diplomats gathered in front of an open hangar.

The control tower radioed the diplomatic party as radar contact was made.

"I have an unidentified craft five hundred kilometers out, closing at..." the voice on the radio paused. "My God, that's over 57,000 kph. ETA any second!"

The ship decelerated within the distance from the end of the runway to where the party of diplomats gathered. Everyone braced themselves slightly as the gravity wake produced by the ship washed over them. One of the diplomats politely lost his breakfast of to the side. All watched in stunned silence as the ship hovered in front of them.

The ship rotated a full circle as if scanning the surrounding area. Landing struts extended as the ship turned another half circle, pointing in the direction it had approached from. Sunlight reflected off the golden hull as the ship settled onto the tarmac. The low hum of the ships engines faded to silence. The top of the fuselage slid open. The cockpit extended up through the opening before sliding back to reveal two helmeted figures.

The figures that emerged from the cockpit of the golden ship wore standard SDF uniforms. The first figure was female, the second, male. The only differences in their uniforms were the colored piping that indicated their rank. The female's uniform had two violet stripes separated by a single blue stripe while the male's had two violet stripes separated by a single green stripe. They walked with a casual gait as they approached the president and the other representatives across the hot tarmac.

The first figure removed her helmet and offered a friendly smile as she was recognized by the president.

"Welcome, Emissary Sheral," President Oakley said as she smiled and extended her hand. "I'm pleased to inform you that we have spoken with the other world leaders and, despite our own personal differences, all have managed to agree on accepting your offer."

"A pleasure to see you again, President Oakley. That is wonderful news," Sheral said as she shook the president's hand before turning toward the others. "And I offer greetings to all of you. We are grateful for this opportunity to meet and welcome you to our alliance."

Everyone looked surprised as the second figure removed his helmet to reveal a human accompanying the alien ambassador.

Grey tucked the helmet under his arm. He gave a short nod to the other diplomats and the president.

"Greetings, Madam President."

"Mr. Sanborne, I'm a little confused by your presence here," President Oakley said before smiling. "Though, somehow it does not come as a total surprise."

"We have appointed Greyson Sanborne as the representative you will have contact with us through," Sheral explained.

Tension immediately rose as the UN delegates conversed between themselves until one of them spoke up. "Excuse me, Emissary. We thought we would be allowed to choose our own representative?"

"It was not expected to have one appointed for us." said another.

"We demand the right to choose someone to represent us," exclaimed a third delegate.

Sheral gave a reassuring smile.

"You misunderstand. You are free to choose whomever you wish to represent your world. They will contact the Trephi representative, Emissary Sanborne," Sheral said, emphasizing Grey's new title and rank.

The tension in the air seemed to disperse somewhat, but there was still confusion about Grey's new position.

Director Chamers of the NSA stepped forward. "Madam President, I must protest. As a member of this country's armed services, he has obligations..."

Sheral took a single step toward Chamers.

"Obligations that you have freed him from when you discharged him," Sheral said, cutting off the director in mid-sentance. She calmed herself quickly and turned to the delegates. "Greyson has been given Emissarial rank within our alliance. We have complete faith in his ability to represent us. You should all view him as you would myself or Emissary Geheran."

Grey had never seen Sheral dislike someone as much as she detested Chamers.

Sheral stepped closer to Chamers, leaning nearly nose to nose as she stared into his eyes. "You have no say in this matter."

Chamers stared back, refusing to yield. "I can have him arrested and buried in a hole so deep..."

"Be sure you do not bury yourself," Sheral interrupted with snarl as her ears flattened against her head. "Greyson is a full member of the SDF, and we would not take kindly to any mistreatment of another of our emissaries."

"Director Chamers," cautioned the president.

Chamers looked back and forth between President Oakley and Sheral. "Sanborne has knowledge that could be damaging in the hands of an enemy. Madam President, you cannot allow this."

Sheral closed her eyes and spoke in an even tone. "We come with an offer of friendship, and you would dare to call us an enemy."

Grey knew as long as Sheral was either yelling or growling, she was venting her feelings. Now, Sheral's emotionless tone was indicating a dangerous response would be forthcoming. Chamers had insulted her and, emissary or not, Grey knew Sheral would either walk out or physically strike out at Chamers. Fortunately, she managed to maintain control.

"Director Chamers that is enough," President Oakley said as a final warning. "Emissary Sheral, we do value your offer and peaceful intentions. Director Chamers did not mean to infer anything else."

Grey touched lightly at Sheral's arm as he spoke softly in Synacian. "Please, Sheral, let it go. They don't know about the Klizul and are suspicious to receive such a generous offer without anything expected in return." Grey pleaded. "Please, just let it go."

Sheral looked at Grey as her ears perked back up slightly.

Judging by the way Sheral's ear flicked, Grey could see his comment had reasoned her although she maintained her aggressive stance--she wouldn't allow herself to show any form of submission to Chamers.

"Director Chamers, you are excused," commanded President Oakley. "Immediately."

Chamers gave Sheral one last look before turning and walking away.

Grey noticed that everyone who had been holding their breath and started to breathe again as the tense moment passed. He made brief eye contact with President Oakley. He gave her an encouraging nod that seemed to make her relax a little.

"Perhaps we should proceed with the meeting," Grey suggested.

After a short limousine ride they arrived at another high security site where the conference would take place. The delegates seated themselves around a large table with Grey and Sheral seated at the end. Grey stood and began to explain the structure of the other worlds in the Trephi alliance and the SDF's role. He saved the information about the Klizul for last as he described the events that led to decision to invite Earth into the alliance.

Grey finished presenting the details and returned to his seat. He looked briefly at the faces of the delegates sitting around the conference table. He was slightly surprised how well the delegates took the news regarding the Klizul. He had expected a bad reaction. Overall, everyone seemed to maintain calm, diplomatic appearances.

"Why did you not inform us of this potential threat at the time of the proposal?" asked the Chinese diplomat.

"The Trephi didn't want it to have any bearing on your decisions. They wanted your decision to be based on a desire for peace and mutual exchange of ideas. They also didn't want it to seem as if their offer were being made with an --or else-- condition."

"But what if we had decided against accepting the Trephi proposal?"

"I had Emissary Geheran's personal guarantee that--if a conflict with the Klizul would arise--he would do whatever necessary to protect Earth, even if there were no formal alliance."

The delegates chatted between themselves until the UN representative raised his hand.

"Yes, sir." Grey said as he waited for the representative to speak.

"We are unclear what exactly the Trephi will demand in exchange for their assistance with the Klizul threat. Could you give us the specifics?"

"Certainly." Grey said with ease. "There are no demands. They would however request the creation of facilities around the world for bases of cultural exchange, preferably staffed with a mixed compliment of humans and Trephi. Each facility would be given sensor units for monitoring solar system traffic along with a Trephyn support specialist to provide training and assistance. Trephi anthropologists will also be on staff to exchange cultural information with their human counterparts."

"What about medical and other sciences?"

"Apart from the sensor equipment, no other technology will be given. The Trephi believe there is a discipline required for certain levels of advancement. They will not give technology to a world without that world's total understanding of the fundamentals for reproducing it. However, they are willing to guide human scientists toward finding answers and increasing scientific knowledge. I hope you all find that reasonable."

Grey watched as the delegates talked among themselves. After a few minutes of deliberation, they gave their answer.

"We find the terms agreeable. This will not be easy to keep from the public."

"What?" Sheral said in surprise. "We were assuming you would make our presence known to your people."

"We don't think the general population is ready for this revelation."

"The population has wanted to know since Roswell, nineteen forty-seven," countered Grey.

"Maybe so, but we prefer to keep the existence of alien life a secret for now."

Now it was Grey and Sheral's turn to talk between themselves. The delegates watched as they spoke back in forth in Synacian. They could not interpret Sheral's expressions, but they could easily see Grey's disgust.

"Very well." Grey said bitterly. "On one condition."

Grey waited until all eyes were on him.

"We will allow you to keep the existence of the Trephi on Earth a secret. However, we will not tolerate the use of force to protect that secret. Should someone discover us, the situation will be explained and they will be allowed to choose whether to reveal their discovery to the world. Their individual rights will not be trampled to protect the secret of our existence. If we discover any party has gone against this condition, we will reveal ourselves publicly and you will be made responsible to your own people for those actions."

The room remained silent.

"Good. I see we are in agreement." Grey said as he stood. "If there are no additional questions at this time. We would like to conclude this meeting by saying the Trephi Council welcomes this partnership between our species. They look forward to the many discoveries we hope to make together."

Everyone shook hands with the emissaries before leaving. Afterward, Grey and Sheral relaxed in their limousine as it took them back to the landing field.

"That went well," Sheral commented, pleased by the favorable outcome of the first meeting.

"A bit of a rough start," Grey grinned.

"I'm sorry about that."

"It's ok. You've been through a lot and Chamers isn't what even I consider personable."

"I realize he was doing what he believed important. I have to commend that. However, his mannerisms could use improvement."

"I suppose we can't expect everything to work out perfectly. Still, the day went reasonably well."

"You did well, Greyson," Sheral said with a sense of pride that came from knowing that her decision to offer Grey an emissarial position was appropriate.

Grey smiled at Sheral's compliment as he closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the seat. Within a short time they arrived back at the airfield. They headed towards their ship when they noticed President Oakley walking towards them.

"Emissary," President Oakley said warmly as she approached across the field.

"Yes, President Oakley," Sheral and Grey responded almost simultaneously. They smiled at each other as they realized they weren't sure whom was being addressed.

"Actually, the both of you," President Oakley said smiling, amused at their reaction. "There is a formal party tomorrow evening to celebrate this momentous occasion. I think everyone would be delighted to see you both there."

Sheral and Grey looked at each other.

"Doesn't matter to me. It's up to you if you feel up to it," Grey said to Sheral.

Sheral nodded at Grey then turned toward President Oakley. "Room for four?" Sheral asked.

"Certainly. Arrive at the airfield around six. I'll arrange transportation for you from here. I'll see you both tomorrow evening."

"Oh, I almost forgot." Grey said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a small envelope and handing it to Oakley.

President Oakley reached to take the envelope. "What's this?"

"A personal request. I know you'll be looking for people to staff the facilities that will need to be set up, as well as possible exchange personnel." Grey said as Oakley took hold of the envelope. "It is a list of a few people I'd like to recommend, providing they meet all your requirements."

"I'll see what can be done."

"Thank you." Grey said, appreciatively.

Sheral and Grey bid final farewell to president Oakley before heading to their transport.