Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The First Galactic Accord Conference
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I led the PATO delegation toward the Great Temple with unwavering steps.
As someone practically a resident of Talatulan, I walked in with full confidence.
The Talatulan Great Temple was the largest shrine in the entire Ozttulan Star System.
A place that would normally bustle with pilgrims was surprisingly quiet this time, likely cleared out for the summit.
It was somewhere I'd never even dreamed of entering amid the usual crowds.
Unlike how the Prophet had dismissed marble, the temple was indeed built from it.
Marble does stand out compared to other stones, after all.
Its appearance was less like the Greek temples back on Earth and more akin to the Colosseum half-buried in the ground.
Honestly, from my perspective as a former human, even calling it Colosseum-like felt generous—it looked more like a crater from a meteor impact surrounded by a no-entry barrier, a crude hunk of architecture.
It simply overwhelmed that crudeness with its massive scale, befitting the grandest temple.
Rather than calling it worn and crude, it was better to say it carried tradition and history.
As I entered the conference hall, basking in the scorching light of Ozttulan, I saw that many races had already arrived and taken their seats.
It was worth the wait on the ship, timing our descent perfectly—the place was filling up nicely.
Species describable in single words like snakes, butterflies, mushrooms, or rocks were the easy ones.
There were plenty whose appearances left me pondering how to even describe them.
But one thing was certain: from a human viewpoint, nothing looked more monstrous than the Hirak.
Seeing all these diverse species in person made Admiral Nikolai's restraint at our first encounter feel like a miracle.
If Lushaka hadn't been the Federation's first alien contact, we might've been met with a hail of bullets.
Maybe we chose the wrong outward appearance.
But it was too late now.
The Hirak were already Lushaka's identity.
We were sticking with this look to the end.
I moved to my assigned seat.
Seats were divided by locomotion: bipedal walkers, quadrupeds, fliers.
As I sat down, a squeak came from the seat next to me—"Eek!"
I glanced over to see a tiny mouse trembling there.
"Squeak. P-pleased to meet you for the first time. I'm Kletch, representative of the Scorix from the Ozttulan Multi-Species Alliance."
His eyes darted wildly, his body shaking uncontrollably, but Kletch still managed his introduction before promptly offering a business card.
"Pleased to meet you, Representative Kletch. I'm Albarak, granted diplomatic authority by Her Majesty the Queen of the Lushaka Kingdom."
I took the card and extended my long claw for a handshake.
Kletch grabbed the tip with both tiny paws and shook it as he continued.
"It's an honor to meet guests from the opposite side of the galaxy, squeak squeak."
All of Kletch's speech came via telepathic waves.
He seemed highly practiced at emitting them, proving his devotion as an Ozttulan follower.
Species tied to the Holy Nation did seem to awaken psionics as a norm.
Kletch glanced slyly at Albarak before pressing on.
"I-I heard you're the race that discovered 'Ozz'—one of the topics up for discussion."
"The Lushaka Kingdom didn't discover it. On our side of the galaxy, it's a fairly common resource."
I'd recently learned why the Federation and Varisa hadn't found Ozz.
Once data emerged pinpointing the Holy Nation as Ozz's origin, and PATO's territory expanded, new facts came to light.
Ozz distribution increased the farther you got from the Holy Nation. Cause unknown.
So, groups like the Bahilila Knight Order, farther out than the Federation or Varisa, were the ones aware of it.
Once more galactic maps were unveiled, I suspected nations treating Ozz as an ordinary resource would surface.
"A substance that brings one closer to the divine—truly alluring. Though its origin is horrific."
But still—
Kletch adjusted his glasses with a sharp flick.
"Isn't it peculiar, squeak? Reaching the end of one's mind and ascending to Ozttulan—that 'ascension' isn't exclusive to the Talatulan. Our Scorix have ascetics who've gone to the divine first."
His fear seemed gone; back straight, no stammering, Kletch spoke boldly now.
"Yet only Talatulan produce 'Ozz.' Why? Because they're inorganic, not organic? Plenty of species endure radiation in microbe-free space."
He had a point.
How many factors in germ-free space could destroy organics?
Toss a Hirak into the void, and it'd drift intact for ages.
Humans might break down from prolonged UV or radiation, but how many space-hardy species were out there?
"Who even verified they're Talatulan priests? Comets in the end. Same rocks—how do you tell them apart? I think the Talatulan are hiding something."
"I'm curious why you're sharing this. I'd like to hear your thoughts, Mr. Kletch."
"As Scorix representative, I plan to oppose the Ozz usage ban. We must stand proud before the divine, unhidden—expose every ugly deed."
Of course—
"PATO folks use Ozz well, so you'll naturally oppose, but just in case. We'd appreciate your support."
Representative Kletch, having talked himself into high blood pressure, stepped out for some air.
I mingled with other approaching species, and soon after Kletch returned, a rock rolled in to signal the summit's start.
"Thank you for attending the First Galactic Accord Conference at the Talatulan Great Temple. I am Tetl’ratul, the battle priest chairing this gathering."
Chatter in the hall died down as eyes focused on the rock in the Colosseum's center.
After seeing the Prophet in person, other Talatulan felt... off.
They lacked distinctive features.
The Prophet screamed "I'm a rock alien!" to anyone, but the rest looked like backyard pebbles.
"This conference proceeds under Ozttulan's gaze. All participants, please engage with wisdom and respect, guided by your faith and convictions."
As if on cue, noon struck, flooding the hall with intense light—as if Ozttulan truly watched.
I glanced at the PATO delegation; they looked serious but not tense.
Probably figured it didn't concern them.
Fair enough—the Holy Nation had no leverage beyond Ozz, really.
Letting them join a regional accord was generous already.
Naming it the "First" suggested ambitions to expand influence.
"First item on the agenda."
PATO attendees, Lushaka included, hadn't heard the topics.
No complaints though—it wasn't binding on PATO members.
We were here for Ozz talk.
The Holy Nation had graciously allowed free discourse.
The Prophet hadn't deigned to inform me, so this was news to me too.
"We begin discussion on banning sapient slave trading. Participants, speak freely."
The first agenda dropped, and the Varisa Space Company rep—who'd been lounging comfortably—shot up.
"Wh-what the meow? Did I hear that wrong?"
Varisa's big three: mining, mercenaries, slaves.
It targeted only Holy Nation affiliates, so not a direct hit, but expulsion from the galaxy's largest market stung.
Having networked for new markets, Varisa dove in fervently.
Snarling rebuttals, but in a nation where faith made anyone a resident, it fell flat.
Not final, but Varisa couldn't sway opinion.
The ashen cat slumped back.
The friendly Amphibian Cooperative rep jumped in.
"Gurrrrk gurrk gurrk. That's what you get for your usual villainy."
"Next: restricting artificial intelligence development."
"Gurrrrraaak?!@$?"
Amphibian Cooperative's big three: mercenaries, mechanical engineering, construction.
Like the Federation, they were all-in on AI and instantly rebelled.
Difference: Federation sent a politician; they sent a businessman.
The frog argued hotly too.
But ended up ashen and slumped like the cat.
Spacefaring faith-based nations did tend to dislike soulless machines.
Man, getting wrecked this early.
We're guests here—no helping.
Too bad.