Deep Space Settlement - 2. DSS Chapter 2

Four hours ago, a second attack was made, and this time the shuttles were able to land on the planet and using small arms weapons, they managed to deactivate 6 of the 8 cannons that protect the academy, so it will be their third go that will get the NASC into the Lunar Base for sure.

They have also sent a distress signal to us, requesting urgent assistance. All I have done is acknowledge that we have received there and that I am awaiting orders from the Capital” Lucas reported. “I see, well I think we need to go directly to the United Nations on this matter.

Call them, and let them know that I will authorise an independent mediator to travel to Earth, as long as a temporary truce is made between all parties, for a period of four days, and that the UN has to guarantee the safety of you and your two guards” Quinn announced.

“I will do that right away sir, and I am thinking of approaching the UN Security Council, and putting to them that the only way to guarantee a lasting peace, is if all UN member countries have equal access to the Security Council, meaning they disband the old an outdated system of 5 permanent and ten temporary members to the Security Council, and replace it with a 15-member security council.

I suggest that each member country elected onto the Security Council, hold the position for three years, instead of the two years, as with the current system, with 1/3^rd of the membership changing every year” Lucas suggested. “I like that idea very much, and it would resolve the continued problems the Security Council has been dealing with since the end of World War two, back in 1945.

Right, notify the UN, then wait for a response, and if they accept the offer, you can go, but if they don’t accept it, or the hostilities don’t stop, then you will have to do your mediating from here, as I am not risking anyone being caught up in this conflict” Quinn said.

“Understood sir, and thank you,” Lucas said, I will be here for a few days, so if you do go down there, I will be monitoring everything, and the guards are to go unarmed and have the shuttle drop you off at the UN and leave right away and inform the pilots to wait at the former Earth Base at New Zealand, while they are waiting,” Quinn said as Lucas began to leave the conference room, and Lucas nodded his head in understanding before leaving.

Just over an hour later, Quinn was informed that he shuttle was ready for departure, after receiving a guarantee from the United Nations that there will be a temporary truce, effective immediately, for a period of four days, and Quinn gave the go-ahead, with the best of luck for the diplomatic negotiations.

When the shuttle arrived in New York, the only place to land was on a vacant plot of land, right across the road from the United Nations Building. At 220 metres long and 80 metres wide, the shuttle fitted onto the vacant plot of land with a little bit of room to spare. The shuttle has two decks and can accommodate 4 crew and 12 guests for an unlimited amount of time, and once closed and secured, nothing on Earth can penetrate its outer shell.

As the shuttle shut down its engines, a huge crowd quickly gathered, and the local police force, who had been warned of the arrival of the United Republic of Planets of Sahndrol shuttle, and quickly shut down the traffic and stop pedestrian from getting too near.

As Quinn and his two guards stepped out of the shuttle, a limo arrived to ferry them the short 300 metres to the front gates of the United Nations building, and once in the Limo, the shuttle started up and slowly lift up and clear of all buildings, before disappearing at a fast speed out of sight.

“Your Excellency, my name is Jared Matterson, New Zealand Representative to the United Nations,” a gentleman said as we entered the main building, after being screened for any illegal items. “Mr Matterson, I am Lucas Durham, Director of the Space Research and Training Academy on Mars, and Diplomatic Envoy on behalf of Lord Quinn Lenegan” Lucas replied.

“Sir, the Security Council is about to sit for its afternoon session, and the 15 country members are aware of your pending arrival and are looking forward to hearing your views on the current crisis with the Lunar Base – Prometheus” Mr Matterson informed Lucas, as he led the way through the building, and fifteen minutes and quite some distance later, they entered the Security Council Chambers.

“Members of the Security Council, Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the His Excellency Mr Lucas Durham, the Diplomatic Envoy of the United Republic of Planets of Sahndrol” someone announced, and everyone stood and clapped as Lucas was lead towards the front of the chamber.

“Security Council Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for the welcome and allowing me to speak to you today, as we are all aware the situation at the Luna Base known as Prometheus, has been attacked by a known rogue space agency, to try and gain control of the base, as there for a place to force goodness knows what, onto the people of Earth.

The regent of Sahndrol, Her Serine Highness Natihya, gave the order for the citizen to leave the Luna Base, plus recall all citizens working on Earth, back to the capital of Ganymede, for one reason and only one reason, it is the belief of Peace and Harmony that allows the Sahndrol people to live the way they have for centuries and many generations, so anyone that wants to call us cowards for being that way, go ahead, it will not change our views and actions.

I come here today, to ask… to put to you a proposal, that may assist with having long-time peace here on Earth. I understand that one of the United Nations millennium development goals is to develop a global partnership for development. If that is to be achieved, some changes need to be made.

It is the recommendation of the Sahndrol Empire that all UN member countries have equal access to the Security Council, meaning the disbanding of the old an outdated system of 5 permanent and ten temporary members to the Security Council, and replace it with a 15-member security council, with rotational members.

We suggest that when a member country is elected onto the Security council, they hold the position for three years, instead of the two years, as with the current system, with 1/3^rd of the membership changing every year” This would resolve the continued problems the Security Council has been dealing with since the end of World War two, back in 1945. I know you have been debating this issue in the more recent years, but now is the time to act.

Give equal access to all member countries, with 2 or 3 members from each region, so that all members countries around the world have a voice. Thankyou” Lucas said and suddenly everyone in the chamber was on their feet applauding until the chairperson called for order.

“Mr Durham, thank you for your address today, we will take this recommendation to a vote later in the day, and we will try and let you know of the outcome. You said you currently don’t have any Sahndrol citizen on Earth anymore, how may we be able to contact you?” the Security Council Chairperson asked, “Sir, if you inform the New Zealand Embassy, they will be able to contact me” Lucas replied, “One last matter, does the United Republic of Planets plan to have Embassies on Earth again, once this matter is sorted?” the Chairperson asked.

“I am not sure sir, as that will be a decision of the High Council, so I will pass on a message when that decision has been made” Lucas replied. “Mr Matterson, does the New Zealand government still own the island where the URPS Earth base is located?” the Chairperson asked the New Zealand representative, “No sir, the island was sold to the United Republic of Planets, and as far as I am aware they still own it, even if there are no personnel on the island” Mr Matterson replied.

“One last question Mr Durham, if I may. If the Sahndrol Empire decides to continue having representation on Earth, will it consider having the Earth base here or close to New York?” the Chairperson asked, “Once again sir, that would be a decision of the High Council of the United Republic of Planets, which is based at Jupiter. Although we can get almost instant communication with the Capital from here, to actually travel between the two planets takes, 3 days to complete the journey” Lucas replied.