Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Deneb's Pro-Alien Shift
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I got the intentions behind the Galactic Peace Committee.
After chatting with those folks, their minds were a total flower garden.
They were all idealists who'd tasted the world's bitterness and flocked there chasing utopia.
Whether the Union's path truly leads to that ideal paradise is another matter altogether, but it sure gives off the vibe that they've achieved some kind of peace. That's a fact.
The existence of a fellow pacifist like me in the galaxy tickled me pink. The other nations, though? Not so much.
The Lushaka Kingdom's southern regions lack hyperlane connections, so warp capability is essential for development there, and all other expansion routes are blocked. But the three nations excluding the Galactic Peace Committee still have room to grow.
And if they stumble upon some weak little country ripe for the taking, they'll probably jump on the expansion without hesitation. The amphibians are the only ones leaning toward peace, at least somewhat. The Galactic Peace Committee, though? They'll throw a wrench in it for sure. Those guys insist there should be no fighting at all.
The bad blood between the frogs and the cats plays a role too. Maybe because they're both corporations? They don't see each other as foreign nations but as rival companies. Makes sense, with their customer bases overlapping and all.
Truth be told, the biggest reason is the lack of a Warsaw Pact equivalent. NATO was born to counter the Soviets in the first place, so if some galaxy-spanning superpower pops up, they'll band together on their own.
It would've been possible to form one back when the knight order was still intact and communications were up. What a shame.
Just as I figured the space NATO idea was dead in the water—
Something happened in the Deneb International Union.
"Beyond the world to space! Cateah, the galaxy's top cultural planet! Let's show the aliens Cateah's beauty, everyone!"
President Lydia Moretti had failed to secure a third term.
Leonard A. Taniguchi.
Human. 51-year-old male. A Cateah native with a pro-alien bent.
The man who'd opposed President Lydia Moretti's space whale reduction policy the hardest. His approval ratings had been climbing steadily since the war's end, then skyrocketed after meeting the cats, ultimately propelling him into the presidency.
And this guy wasted no time jumping into action right after taking office.
"The Deneb Federation will explore ways to join the galactic union—"
Unlike the previous administration, he came out strongly in favor of birthing a space NATO, stating the Federation was ready to participate anytime.
Well, well. The new president knows his stuff. Prioritizing collective peace over minor national losses. That's the key.
"Permitting alien residency within our borders. Permitting emigration to alien planets."
Hmm, hmm.
"Granting alien citizenship."
Huh?
"Alien anti-discrimination laws."
Whoa, whoa.
"Alien voting rights."
"Shut that bastard up!!"
The Deneb parliament erupted in chaos.
Curses flew, and polite physical debates ensued. The speaker, who'd just spat out these radical bills upon inauguration, faced opposition from the rival party trying to drag him and his supporters down. The ruling party fought back to protect them, turning the chamber into a cauldron of pandemonium.
Thwack!
A clean straight punch from an opposition member. But it wasn't enough to silence the speaker.
"Guh. Aliens eligible for public office. Ack!"
"Have you ever seen such a mad bastard!"
"Stop him! Stop him!"
The rookie president had the backing to push these radical bills.
Deneb's citizens had no clue about the true power of neighboring nations. They didn't even know Treegalaon's exact size. That intel had been kept from the public.
While discoveries of new aliens and opening diplomatic channels were all over the news, info that could hint at their strength was tightly controlled.
It was just a few years ago they'd fought the Telluris Assimilator, and learning the size difference between Treegalaon-Alpha and the Federation's latest destroyers could spark mass panic. President Moretti's measures aimed to prevent that. She herself feared when the aliens might strike next.
Their national security and economy were already too intertwined with aliens to reject them now over fearmongering. Wasting time like that could widen the tech gap beyond recovery.
Plus, aliens didn't haunt Deneb's internet communities, making control easier than any local info.
But the bureaucrats and politicians steering the nation knew the hard truths. Still, in an electoral democracy, populism was inescapable.
President Taniguchi seized on the fact that only the aliens' good sides were broadcast to the public.
Lushaka aliens looked repulsive enough to draw lukewarm reactions, but Varisa's cat-like aliens erased that issue.
Lavished with massive lobbying funds, he rallied his base while watching Moretti's ratings tank, biding his time for the next election.
The result? He won. Then, to lock in his pro-alien supporters, he rammed through a slew of pro-alien bills.
Voting rights and public office access proved too much even for his base, so those got scrapped. But the Deneb Federation became a true multi-species nation where aliens could reside.
Alien immigration possible. That's way bigger than the Union.
Voting and office access didn't pass this time, but it's likely eventually. No matter how many Denebians there are, they'll be outnumbered by the galaxy's aliens.
Once even a fraction immigrate and their numbers swell, politicians will inevitably court them. Who knows? Someday I might even see one become president.
The moment the bills took effect, we dispatched immigrants to the Deneb Federation.
These weren't your standard Hirak monsters; we'd put real effort into their appearances.
We couldn't make elf-level stunners, but they had a friendly, human-like look. Living in the same city as far-off space aliens demands a lower appearance barrier.
Bipedal, two arms, height around 2 meters—nothing too outlandish. Like a slightly taller chimp. We'd shown gorilla-like ones on Solar-03 before, so they'd accept these without a hitch.
Sure enough, when Deneb signaled they wanted immigrants, they arrived tense-faced, then visibly relaxed at the familiar features.
These Lushakans boasted tougher physiques than humans, with docile temperaments and uncomplaining obedience—traits humans would love. They'd blend into Deneb society smoothly.
Plus, unlike our previous creations, these could reproduce. That's why we added gender distinctions.
No other way to grow their numbers inside the Federation. If they couldn't have kids, folks would question if they were even real lifeforms.
Chimp mating process? No idea. These autonomous ones'll figure it out. I saw, heard, and felt nothing.
Anyway, the Deneb Federation came around to supporting space NATO founding. Long live democracy.
If everyone but me opposed it, I wouldn't even bother. But now we've got majority support. Worth the effort, right?
Still, I wasn't about to beg.
Among the five nations, we're tops in population, tech, and military. Begging to join when the Union's perks are so slim? Nah.
We backed it to leverage our hive mind for infiltrating nations on multiple fronts while conveniently promoting cosmic peace. But groveling with pleas to join? Not happening.
"So let's table the union discussion for now."
The Galactic Peace Committee diplomat backed off like that.
I want to make that union too, but the timing's off. Once more of the galaxy's mapped and external threats solidify, they'll come crawling without us prompting.
No need to overthink. Opportunities will come if we take it slow.
I lit a fresh cigarette.
Fwooo———.
Admiral Nikolai had sent it upon hearing of Hihirak's death.
He'd asked it be used for the funeral to pass to Hihirak, but the admiral would be thrilled that Hihirak drank it himself.
This mind-opening sensation is truly refreshing.
...
Am I the only one who can feel this mind-opening rush?
Surely among Denebians, some must have awakened to psionic abilities.
Come to think of it, the Bahilila Holy Knight Order's forces used psionic powers. Maybe I should ask the Committee about it.