[Jmenschenfresser]

2405.8

The Xi'Chung are no more. They are a crushed, battered and defeated people. But let me begin severals months before. After our defeat at Cephedri II, the Elders shifted from the notion that movement through Zynarra space was the only way to move beyond this corner of the galaxy. We'd recent information from the CueCappa that the Xi'Chung weren't as strong as it first seemed. Seven of our newest Utah destroyers left Xiban for a system called Olontra. The CueCappa informed us that a large planet in this system was uninhabited, that the Amon'krie, for reasons unknown had refrained from terra-forming it.

The High Priest secured from the Amon'krie permission to use this planet as a base for deep space exploration. However, the citizens of Olontra began rioting when our seven Utah destroyers moved into the system. For several years now, we've been aware of a faction within the Amon'krie who are hostile toward our beliefs. The are ethno-centrists, prone to violence, and cannot stand the words of our beloved Text. The Amon'krie government had not expected such a backlash from our efforts to terra-form a planet in the Olontra system. They had no idea of the influence the anti-Norak movement had upon members of their government.

We feared war with the Amon'krie and we still do. Within several months of our entrance into the Olontra system, the mood between our two peoples was tense. The government was forced to break ties with us, fearing a coup. The Priests doubted an attack from the Amon'krie would come. They were too deeply locked in a stalemate with the Farzah. As long as we kept the Templar fleet in Olontra, the Amon'krie would complain but do little. However, before our two civilizations had this falling out, we'd promised the Sallega to assist with their attack upon the Xi'Chung. Not wanting to return to Cephedri, the Priests had come to the conclusion that the Xi'Chung needed to be tested. Perhaps with the support of the Sallega, we could render them unable to attack our passing ships.

Unable to delay the Templar fleet any longer, the new colony in Olontra was left amongst a sea of hostile faces. We informed the Sallega we would be within striking range in two months. Just as the fleet exited the warp point into Organtrix, the Sallegan Admiral sent word that our fleet should guard the warp point between the Sallega and the Xi, just in case their invading fleet was destroyed. They feared a backlash or reprisal if they failed. Our fleet never actually made it to the warp point. As we passed near the Xi homeworld, we heard the Sallega victory cry! They'd taken it. The Xi were thus reduced to two small domed colonies farther north within the Organtrix system, neither of which were capable of constructing warships. Our elders feared too much life had been lost in taking this homeworld. It was a noble victory, and one sent by She who judges the soul; however, our elders realized that the Xi were already destroyed, their queen was dead by her own hand, and because of this, we negotiated a surrender of the final two colonies.

Which brings me to our present journey. Tallik and I are on our way to Organtrix to help with the transition of the remaining Xi. I've been studying the Sallegan and CueCappan anthropological writings about the Xi'Chung. Our scholars know little about them. It seems they have a cult of personality burned within their social conscience. In destroying their government and space navy, we hope they will take to our leadership. Tallik will be rebuilding their defenses and construction yards. I will assist in the pacification and instruction of our newest citizens. We are aboard an older Maine class transport headed to Organtrix. The treaty of surrender they signed has several stipulations:

1) We, the Norak, protect the Xi'Chung from any further hostile actions from the Sallega.
2) The Xi'Chung who accept the rule of the Norak be given every right within the Continuum as that of a Norak citizen.
3) Those of the Xi'Chung who no longer wish to live in close proximity to the Sallega, be allowed to move en masse to a suitable world deep within Norakian territory. (Several methane planets have already been chosen)
4)The culture and language of the Xi'Chung be accepted as legitimate within the Continuum.
5) However, the Xi'Chung will no longer be allowed to worship the pagan gods of their ancestors. These they must forsake.
6) The Xi'Chung are no less children of the Almighty.
7) The Xi'Chung will be given immediate seats within the Hall of Elders based on their population.
8) We will petition the Sallegan to provide restriction free travel from the Xi'Chung homeworld to the colonies and vice versa, as many families and friends are as yet divided.

There are several other finer points of course. These are some of the more interesting ones. It seems that I will head the monks and priests whose task it is to instruct the Xi'Chung in our religion and ways. We will set up schools and monestaries for them to learn our language. Tallik is also involved in the removal of those who wish to leave from the Sallegan presence and those who refuse to cooperate with the treaty. We hope for a smooth transition, but I doubt these things are ever easy. The Sallegan have yet to inform us as to their intentions towards the defeated Xi. We hope they are kind and forgiving despite the mutual destruction they've inflicted over the years. We realize it is easier for us to wipe the slate clean; however, forgiveness is the true sign of an enlightened soul.

After ensuring the defeat of the Xi'Chung the Templars are returning to the Colony in Olontra. Our priests have recently hammered out a new treaty between the Norak and the Amon'krie. The distrust is evident. We are now reduced to a treaty of non-intercourse. However, I have always been taught, that where the Almighty closes one door, she opens another. And possibly it is so...the Sallega have recently offered their services as arbiter between us and the Zynarra. Perhaps this will lead somewhere other than death. To the readers of this, you must understand what came before you. We seek not to destory but to enlighten. Sometimes however, the Almighty uses her servants to crush the irredeemable. The Zynarra cannot hide forever form the face of She who thinks about thinking...one day we will again ask of them their testimony. The Almighty have sent the Sallega as a Last hope for the Zynarra. I pray they do not send them away unheeded.

There isn't much to do on an empty transport ship...except write.

I've studied the designs of the new light cruiser class Florida about 50 times since leaving Xiban I. Several have already left space dock. One is being sent to Organtix and will arrive ahead of us; however, I will not get to see it until we reach the Xi' Colonies, because while we are avoiding Amon'krie space, it will be taking the shorter route through it. Already, Tallik is talking of new designs and new plans. He's sent his latest ideas back to the elders and their engineers. The second Version of the Florida will come with panels which harness the energy of the stars. This will greatly increase the distance our Text can be taken. Perhaps to the other end of the galaxy.

.............

Tallik and I have just finished our mid-day meal--some kind of wheat for the 10th day in a row. I wish this had been deemed a pilgrammage, for then I would no longer be required to fast. In anycase, we began discussing the future of the continuum. Now that the Xi'Chung worlds will provide us with resupply and constuction yards at the edge of known space, I ask what is next. The answer I received was not the one I was expecting. Instead of thrusting outward as many think, the elders have deemed it necessary to use the two systems lying on the galactic edge first. How can we use them, I ask? They are rock and empty space! Will we mine them? No, Tallik answered. We are going to create planets.

I think I called him a heretic. Only the Almighty can create something from nothing! But he quickly showed me the error of my ways. We need not deal with nothing. The Almighty has already given us the clay with which to form worlds. He proceeded to explain to me that our scientists are on the brink of a technology which would pull asteroids together through a powerful superficial gravitational field. After the gravity of the new planet is stabilized, the planet is perfect for terra-forming. At first we would only be able to transform smaller asteroid fields, but even this would nearly double the number of planets we inhabit. In order to speed up the research, Tallik showed me a deed to an as yet unformed planet. I laughed, but it is true. The ministry for exploration and new world colonization is selling deeds. The prices are ridiculously cheap. I am a monk, so therefore, I cannot own anything. However, Tallik assured me that when the time comes for our mutual retirement from public life, he would build be a shanty on a lonesome hill where I could meditate away the end of my days. I am absolutely in love with the idea.

Our conversation then drifted to other more mundane aspects of the continuum--his fear that our weapons capabilities are falling behind. I constantly tell him that his worries are a lack of faith. But he is a practical Norak. And we need his kind too. I think too much, I suppose. He tells me this daily and that uranium cannons don't build themselves. He's right...

But neither does faith...

Once we initiate the creation of new worlds, the travel time from one side of the contiuum to the other will take upwards of a year and will span eight systems.