Chapter 28 - CHAPTER 26

Dr. Yelena and three E.G.C. soldiers are in the room to retrieve Joilee. Joilee is shackled at her ankles, wrist, and neck, all of which are being chained to her waist. One of the E.G.C. soldiers stand guard with a rifle in his hand, ready to use it on Joilee at a moment's notice.

"Is this all necessary," Joilee scoffed.

"Quiet prisoner! Do you think we will let a dangerous traitor like you roam around base camp without restraints," the Chief security officers commanded.

"That is enough to antagonize my patient soldier," Dr. Yelena commanded. Dr. Yelena gave a comforting look to Joilee. "I apologize for the soldiers. I assure you the restraints are only protocol for patient escort."

"Do they have to put them on so tight!"

"They fit no other way, so quit your whining," one of the soldiers scolded.

"Gentlemen, leave me alone with my patient."

"We have orders to escort her to the holographic chamber. We are not leaving."

"You still will have your orders; I want to talk to my patient alone. Now leave. That is an order!"

All the soldiers leave the room. Dr. Yelena examined the restraints to ensure they were not too much of a discomfort. The soldiers made sure the wrist restraints were tight enough to cut off circulation just as she expected. Dr. Yelena used her security OLED to slightly release the restraints, allowing a comforting feel for Joilee.

"Thank you," Joilee replied.

"You don't have to thank me. Your well-being is my duty."

"I tell. Thank you for the new clothes, by the way! They are less constricting."

"I modified the 3D printer to fit your size. I had to search the E.G.C. military records to get your fitting. You have not gained weight in 40 years. You did well," Dr. Yelena commended.

"So today, I finally met the Hearthtropolian council in person."

"You do, but not in person."

"What do you mean?"

"They will meet you through holographic communications."

"Holographic communications. The last time I heard that the Applied Science Division was working on a prototype."

"Holographic technology was put into use 30 years ago. It's perfect with room efficiency but uses a lot of energy, which the new lightwave reactors provide more than enough."

"I missed a lot over the years.

******

Yelena and her three military escorts Joilee took her to a large room in a dome structure. The room was dark. However, motion light sensors caused the room to light up slightly. Joilee was instructed to stand in the center in the middle of the room.

"What am I supposed to do," Joilee asked.

"You wait," Dr. Yelena replied before leaving the room with the security escort.

Joilee stood in the middle of the room for five minutes before the council's holographic communications activated. Seven towering human figures dressed in white over military uniforms. The holographic projector displayed their bust images as the holo emitters projected their images 10 ft above Joilee. The council members appeared as middle-aged men and women, and their demeanor displayed a strong sense of authority. However, Joilee was not intimidated by the large projections as it was a clear sign to her that the council gave themselves a God complex. The council's voice sat in the middle of the council while three members sat on each side of the leader.

"Welcome Dr. Reyna Joilee. I am Chief Council Maximus Vereen Hines. I am the leader and voice of the council. First, we would like to commend the excellent job of staying alive after 40 years. We are pleased to know that you could survive alone on Sierra Alpha Prime with very few resources. It gives us great hope for the human race that is now very confident in restarting the human race. You are a Solarian hero. Is there anything you like to say, Dr. Reyna Joilee?"

"I have plenty, but I here am one for you? Why have you finally come after 40 Solarian years to this planet now? It clearly shows at first that the E.G.C. government decided to come to Sierra Alpha Prime now?"

"After the destruction of the Oldumare, Sierra Alpha Prime was deemed a hostile planet. All the Oldumare crew was considered K.I.A. However, all that changed 35 years ago.

A deep space UAV probe was sent to Sierra Alpha Prime solar system to further recon for other habitable planets. That probe started receiving data logs from a communication satellite that the Oldumare launched. Those logs were yours. Most of the data was corrupted due to signal decay. However, the data logs were constant and could listen to some of your data entries."

"You still haven't answered my question," Joilee stated.

"I have answered your question, Dr. Joilee."

"No, you haven't. Let me make the question simple."

"Why are you truly here on Sierra Alpha Prime? Haven't you found another planet to inhabit?"

"No! For years we have been probing the planet beyond our Solar System. We found none that were within traveling distance. We would have kept searching, but the Earth EcoSystem decay has rapidly declined. Earth will no longer have a viable atmosphere in the next ten years. The human race is becoming extinct. Evacuation from Earth is underway, and most of the Earth's citizens live in colonies throughout our solar system. However, the accommodations and resources we provided for the refugees are very limited. The council was forced to revisit the original plans to settle Sierra Alpha Prime."

Joilee was taken back by Council Hines's statement about Earth. She always wished that she could go back to Earth. Now her last bit of hope had died. However, it did not matter to Joilee.

"Dr. Joilee, the council understands that you have some hostilities towards our Solarian government, and you have every right to. Our government has failed you by not sending a rescue ship. We would like to own up to our government's mistake."

"Oh yeah, how would you do that?"

"By asking you to become an ambassador for the Solarian government. We understand the natives are very hostile..."

"That's because you constantly keep trespassing on their territory. You don't get permission, and your military is very hostile. They are just returning the hostilities as they receive it."

"We understand that our actions are not very progressive to humanity's survival. That is why you are here. For your contribution and strong survival skills, we would like to name you the official Sierran Ambassador."

"Ambassador? I am not interested!"

"Dr. Reyna Joilee, this is a great opportunity for you to serve humanity's best interest. We need to create some diplomatic relations to help us create colonies."

"Look, I am not helping you. The Sierran people do not need more trespassers."

"We are not planning to settle near any native villages. We hope that you will make sure of that!"

"I am still not helping."

"Joilee, you fail to realize. The human race will settle this planet with or without your help. We are trying to work with the people to avoid further hostilities. We aren't going anywhere. Sierra Alpha Prime is humanity's new home now! We'll give you time to think about our offer. You have two days before we rescind our offer.

Joilee was taken back to her observation cell. Joilee thought about what the lead council said. They were coming no matter what. It sounded like a threat. They would settle regardless of how much it may inconvenience the Sierran natives. Joilee first hand saw how the military has been very hostile towards Her and Mantiko's tribe. She even confronts General Talbot firsthand. Joilee decided it would be best if she did become an Ambassador to buffer the relationship between Sierran natives and humanity. However, her interest was more in the well-being of the Sierran native. Joilee once again found herself standing in front of the council.

"Joilee, I am glad you came to terms with our offer. As your assignment, you will oversee the settlement of colonies of territories you deem safe or uninhabitable. You will create the first set of Sierran laws, policies, and survival guides for humanity to follow! Are there any questions?"

"No!" Joilee replied.

"Good, oh, and one more thing. We would like you to return your original palmer for data analysis."

"That is not possible!"

"Why is that Ambassador Joilee?"

"It was eaten by an alien animal years ago."

"That is unfortunate."