Microcosms 98

It’s been a while since I’ve entered this, been busy at work.
The category is Alien/Armistice/Choose Your Own Adventure
The first two were easy, and I think I met the challenge on the last. Let me know what you think.

Talks
Alien/Armistice/Choose Your own Adventure
269 words
Jeff Messick

Thousands of ships, enough to shade the planet from the sun, drifted effortlessly in orbit. On board the largest of these, The Mikbaht and the humans sat at the table.

The papers before the humans were signed and finalized, and each of the dignitaries sat quietly, observing the other side with growing trepidation.

“Upon signing this, the humans agree to remain outside of our space?” The Mikbaht ambassador asked, his modulated voice still carrying a hint of disbelief.

Ambassador Huntington nodded. “Yes, and the Mikbaht will remain out of Terran space and there will be no harassment of merchant traffic in either system.”

The Mikbaht ambassador turned to Huntington. “And you will accompany us to our homeworld to fulfill what station?”

Huntington fought to urge to set his shoulders. “Liason from your world, to ours. Just to verify that the treaty is observed and enforced to both our people’s satisfaction.”

A sound a staccato buzzing emanated from the translator, something Huntington think of laughter. “Strictly unnecessary, we assure you.”

The Ambassador of Earth slipped his hands in his pockets and shook his head while looking at the ground. “Perhaps, but the governments of both our planets have decided to stop fighting each other. We’ve decided to avoid each other. If we cannot be friends, then our governments have decided we shall, at least, no longer be enemies.”

The Mikbaht ambassador paused, considering. “I look forward to discussing this further, back home.”

Huntington took his hand off the photon gun in his pocket and offered a Mikbaht salute to the ambassador with that hand. “It shall be an interesting conversation.”