In the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way is a blue giant star system with four planets called Soma. Only the small green and white world of Lernosa II was capable of supporting life in this system. This planet is primarily used as a main stop and distribution center by a number of trading world corporations. The trading world of Lernosa intentionally colonized it in neutral space so it could be used just for that purpose. This hot tropical sphere is teaming with a large variety of plant life. Since mankind can't function well in the high temperatures, all of the cities were built on both of the cooler poles. A thick band of vegetation separates the north from the south. It is nearly impossible to get from a city in the south to one in the north by traveling along the surface. High in the northern hemisphere resides Nosa Alpha, the largest city on the planet. It's considered to be this world's capital and loosely governs over the world. Because it has the biggest spaceport on the planet many of the well known and wealthy trading barons also reside there. On the north end of the city, near the spaceport, is the city's legendary Grand Meeting Halls. These structures are the oldest and grandest buildings of the city. They were built so the merchants would have a place to barter and strike their deals. This made it the ideal location for the negotiation of a document that could affect mankind forever. “...at the northwest end of a huge dark molecular cloud is the Omega nebula. It stretches out for several hundred light years. In the center of this cluster are a number of very young stars with an average age of only about 1 million years,” said a soft voice from behind Sharmov. The Chairman was standing outside one of the smaller Halls looking up to admire the nebula in Lernosa II's night sky. The beautiful green glow with red and blue hues took up almost a forth of the view.  He remembered being able to see it even in the daylight, but it was only this magnificent after the blue Somaian sun had set. After a few more moments Sharmov finally stopped marveling at the nebula. He turned around to see a small robot hovering nearby. It was nothing more then a small ball with large white eyes and a small slit for a mouth. His young assistant was also standing nearby listening as well. He was a tall, firm and fit Terron officer dressed in the standard light blue official uniform. It was almost as plain and drab as the official uniform Sharmov was also wearing. He carried in his right hand a metallic briefcase that was attached by a seamless cord that was rapped around his wrist. “Thank you for that interesting recitation on Lernosa II,” said the Chairman looking up at the hovering robot. The robot hovered towards the old bearded man and said in an almost human voice, “No problem Chairman, the trading guild is always happy to provide tourist information for all those who use the facilities. If that is all Sir…” “Yes, yes of course. I'm sure you have other duties to attend to. We shouldn't have much longer to wait anyway,” Sharmov replied with a warm smile. Within seconds the ball streaked away, headed for another nearby meeting hall. The young officer said, “Man, those things always give me the creeps. I'm surprised anyone still uses fully autonomous robots with artificial intelligence anymore considering their history.” “That's true,” said Sharmov as he nodded his head in agreement. They stood along a walkway surrounded by grass that went up to a door to a meeting hall they were waiting to enter. The door was old, very large, and heavy. It was made of an old sturdy Earth wood known as oak. Metal hinges were used to open it. Obviously this was very nostalgic and expensive since most modern doors are made of metal and slide automatically into the wall. They stared constantly at the door expecting it to open at anytime to signal that the ambassadors were ready. After a few minutes of this the chairman's assistant grew frustrated and started to pace up and down the walkway. He grumbled, “What's taking so long? They've had all day with the latest version of the alliance document. Surely that's more then enough time to get their confirmation for final ratification!” “Patience Hax, we have been at this for a long time now. We don't want to ruin it in the final hour.” “Is it because this final version they have to sign is on paper?” “I don't think so; they have their own digital versions to wade through. However, they probably need to check the final document to make sure it's exactly the same.”  Sharmov said as he slowly stroked on his white beard. “Um, why use paper anyway, there are other ways to officiate a digital document?” asked Hax. “That will be done too, but you see we humans still prefer to use paper when any important and official documents are to be considered. It is still one of the few things that cannot be as easily changed as a digital record. I guess those who deal in matters of legality still find some comfort in having a real object that's physically signed,” replied Sharmov with a smile still stroking on his beard. He added, “Maybe we are just longing for the good old days?” “It all seems a little silly if you ask me. With modern security, multi lock keys and hyper encryption I can't see how it could be manipulated,” Hax said with a frown. Sharmov stopped stroking his beard and asked, “Ah, but remember the Omal Galactic bank robbery fifteen years ago? They had all those things then and still nearly a tenth of the banks, and the galaxies wealth disappeared.” “Hum, I must have still been too young to remember that.” “It was a rather spectacular event. It took years for the galactic markets to recover. The culprits were never found. I suspect if they were careful… ” Suddenly the large door opened and a small man dressed in bright colors beckoned for them to enter. “This is it Hax. After months and months of negotiations, rewrites, bickering and the ambassadors constant consulting with there ruling governments and royal families it comes down to this,” Sharmov said with a small nervous stutter. They entered the main meeting chamber. It was elaborately decorated in gold and silver. Centered in the room was a large old wooden oak table with matching chairs all around it. The man in bright colors pointed them in the direction of two men seated at the table. Both of them had at least a dozen armed guards standing behind them. The bold colors of their formal attire represented their allegiance to their kingdoms. The Deveron ambassador and his guards wore bright reds, while the Lenard guards and ambassador were dressed in dark greens. Sharmov had intentionally not taken any guards with him on this long diplomatic mission. He even insisted that he and his assistant be unarmed at all times. He didn't want to provoke the Deveron and Lenard ambassadors in any way. The small colorfully dressed man then told Sharmov, “They are now ready to see you Chairman.” Sharmov and his assistant walked over towards the table. The brightly dressed man turned and left the room shutting the massive door behind him.           The guards were quick to spot the briefcase Sharmov's assistant was carrying. They started to watch his every move, making the young man feel very uncomfortable.           Both of the ambassadors had a large stack of papers on the table in front of them. They came from a metal case sitting on the table. Sharmov sent this final printed version to them many hours ago and it appeared as if the ambassadors must have been going over those documents since then.           Once Sharmov and his assistant were standing at the opposite side of the table, Sharmov asked, “Gentlemen, I assume you have confirmed the final document, heard from your ruling parties and in turn have come to a decision?”           Looking at the Deveron ambassador the Lenard's ambassador said “Yes, I believe ambassador Lemata and I may have Chairman.”           The short gray-haired Lenard's ambassador was a rather plump man for an official officer. Sharmov could tell that the light-skinned man was tough and well aged. He must have been serving in this position for many years now.           Sharmov replied with, “What's you're an…”           “Ambassador Dantro and I have some questions first Chairman,” interrupted the Deveron ambassador. He was a very dark, thin and frail man. His long flat black hair did not look like any natural color Sharmov had ever seen before. The Deveron ambassador had all the looks and manners of a well-seasoned delegate.  He seemed to make for a good counter to the Lenard's ambassador.           With a long sigh Sharmov replied. “Very well gentleman. What are they?”           The ambassadors looked at each other expecting the other to start. Finally, with a gesture of Lemata's hand, Danto spoke, “Why now, Sharmov?”           With a puzzled expression Sharmov inquired, “Why what now?”          “What my colleague is asking,” Lemata chimed in with a fake smile, “is why ask for this alliance now? Is it because of your recent loss of the planet Oma perhaps?”           “Ah, I see,” Sharmov frowned. “It is true this event has become a major reason for us to request an alliance. It still does not take away from the fact that the Empire has finally made good with its threats. It's only a matter of time before either of your kingdoms is attacked.”           Both ambassadors cringed at Sharmov's words. Lemata even shook his head no in response. Upon seeing this Sharmov then added, “Gentlemen, you both know what I'm saying is true! We were hoping all along that we were dealing with a paper tiger. Unfortunately, we now know this monster has long fangs and it knows how to use them.”           Both ambassadors were silent. They tried their best to hold onto their stone cold faces. Sharmov could tell that from behind those masks, they were shaken by his statement.           “It is true,” Dantro spoke, finally breaking his poker face. “Our kingdoms governing bodies have been discussing the Meant threat for some time now. Both Deveron and Lenard ships have fallen prey to the Meant's patrols along the trading routes. Short of fighting back and possibly causing a war, neither of our kingdoms could figure out how to deal with them. That is until your formal request for an alliance of all our kingdoms came to us.”           Lemata added, “Before that the best we could agree to was some cooperative intelligence sharing against the Meants.”           “Well, I'm glad we all seem to realize just how important this alliance can be,” Sharmov said beaming. “Once united, I think the Empire might be a little more cautious when dealing with us.” Then Sharmov asked, “Was there anything else?”           “No, I think you covered everything I was going…”           “I have some other concerns,” said Dantro interrupting the Deveron ambassador while thumbing through the pages before him.           Lemata sneered at his rude associate in response to the blunt interruption. Once the Lenard ambassador found the correct pages he said, “This policy about hiding supply caches you want to initiate. Will all kingdoms be sharing the locations?” Sharmov leaned over and looked at the pages of the document Dantro was referring to. He then replied, “Ah that. Yes. If you look at sub-section twenty-three, you will see that selected officers will only know the locations of three of all the caches, one in each of our three kingdoms,” Sharmov said pointing to the details on the document.           “Yes, that is a good idea. In case of capture, no one person will know where all the caches are,” Lemata said with a weak but real smile this time. “The idea is to share the location of all our caches within the alliance. It might become important in an emergency,” the Terron Chairman further explained. “Are you satisfied Dantro?” asked Lemta.           Dantro replied with a quick nod while placing the document pages back on the table.           Sharmov turned to his assistant and held out his hand. Slowly, while keeping an eye on both sets of the ambassador guards, he slowly opened his briefcase and took out a paper document. Cautiously he handed it to Sharmov. Then he took out an antique pen and handed it to Sharmov too.           “This gentleman is the finalized formal signature document. Once it is signed, the alliance will be official.” Sharmov said as he carefully placed it before them with the pen.           “I must ask Sharmov, what will we call this new Alliance? If we use our kingdom names, we might be here forever trying to agree on whose will be the first?” Lemata asked.           Somewhat worried Sharmov replied, “I never thought about giving the alliance a formal name. I must have been too wrapped up in the details to consider it.”           After a few seconds of staring at the ambassadors, an idea came to Sharmov. He said with excitement, “Of course gentlemen. It's obvious to me now. Have either one of you seen that beautiful nebula nearby, especially in the evening sky?”           The ambassadors looked at each other confused.           “I guess you two have been too busy to notice. It's called the Omega nebula. To avoid any bickering let's agree to call it the Omega Alliance.”           “The last alliance?” Dantro inquired.           “Hum, not bad,” Lemata added.           “With luck it should be the final alliance mankind should ever need.” said the Chairman looking hopefully at the plump Lenard ambassador.            With a nod from both ambassadors Sharmov used the pen and added the name “Omega Alliance” to the top of the document. He then turned it upside down placed the pen carefully on top of it and slid it over towards the ambassadors.           They all looked at the document before them for a few moments. Sharmov then said, “I assume you both have been given the final authority from your governments to sign this document in their names?” “I have full authority of the Director and the Royal House of Lenard to make this alliance,” snapped Dantro. “As do I from my President and the Deveron Royal house.” spoke up Lemata.           “Then are we finally in full agreement with the current document for this new alliance?" asked Chairman Sharmov. “Yes,” replied Lemata and Dantro in unison. “Good. Then would you both please sign.” sighed Sharmov with relief while gesturing to the document. Adding with a nervous grin, “Once the Omega Alliance is signed we can begin to coordinate all of our forces." Dantro reached for the pen first. Then just as he was about to pick it up, he stopped. “Having doubts now, Dantro?” said Lemata with a smirk.  Leaning back in his chair Dantro calmly stated, “I'm not so sure about the draft clause.” “I can understand your reluctance.” the Terron Chairman said trying to reassure the Lenard ambassador. “I was also concerned about this, but if we don't have people prepared to fight, what's the point?” Lemata then leaned close to Dantro and boasted proudly. “Ha, our countrymen would jump at the chance to fight for their Kingdom. They are not afraid.”           Glaring at Lemta, Dantro growled. “Are you saying that we Lenards are?”           Both groups of ambassadors' guards quickly focused their attention on each other. Their hands were poised, ready to grab for their weapons at an instant's notice. “Now, now gentlemen,” interrupted Sharmov. “Let's not fight among ourselves. It'll make the Empire's job far too easy if we start doing this. If we must fight, let us do it by defending our freedom against the Meant Empire,” pleaded Sharmov. After a minute of silence, the ambassadors continued to glare at each other. The Terron Chairman then asked politely. “Please gentlemen will you sign the pact?” There was a cold chilling silence in the air. Lemata grabbed the document and pen. Quickly he inked in his name. When he finished, he slid the document towards Dantro and held the pen out for him to take. Dantro quickly stood up and began to walk away, with his guards following close behind. “Coward.” echoed Lemata's voice throughout the hall. Ambassador Dantro stopped, turned back to face the table with his guards beside him. Slowly he walked back over to the table, with his guards on his heels. He grabbed the pen from Lemata and signed the document on the table. “There!” barked Dantro. Quickly he spun back around and walked around the table towards the large door. One of his guards opened it and he quietly walk out of the meeting hall, followed closely by his guards. Sharmov eagerly leaned over and signed the pact himself while Lemata rose to his feet. He noticed the Deveron Ambassador's eyes followed Dantro until he was out the door. “I would like my official printed and digital copy of that before I leave this world Sharmov” “Oh, of course, Ambassador Lemata, I will make sure you and Dantro have them by Lernosa II's star rise.” “Very well. Good night Sharmov.” said Lemata really smiling for the first time at the Chairman. “And to you too, Lemata.” said Sharmov returning the smile. While Lemata quietly walked out of the room with his own guards, the Chairman turned his attention to the documents. Once Sharmov was finished checking all the papers, he placed the huge document of all the details neatly in the case on the table. He took special care of the pen and signed document. He handed them to his assistant and said, “Here Hax and don't lose them! We still have some work to do. We need to get legal official paper and digital copies made of those.” Hax placed the signed document and pen back into his briefcase and shut it. With some effort Sharmov lifted up the large metal case with a grunt and headed out of the meeting hall. For the first time in a while there was some peace in his troubled mind. © Lee Crystal's Outpost 13 All rights reserved