Federation by Tony Harmsworth

Author:Tony Harmsworth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, hard science fiction, first contact, space empire, near future
Publisher: Harmsworth.net
Published: 2019-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

18 Sheladiz

The convoy of four white Landrovers and an armoured vehicle, all clearly marked UN, had been steadily moving south east and was now on a good road which ran parallel to the Great Zab River in north-eastern Iraq. They were trailed by a Kurdish limousine containing four Peshmerga fighters.

Having seen some of the worst of the conflict areas, the inspectors now wanted to speak to some of the local people outside the current conflict area, so they were heading towards Sheladiz.

The town itself was too large for the inspectors’ needs. While the views of larger communities were important, those living in the countryside seem to have had the worst time during the troubles. A stop was made beside the river, just to the north of the town. A few dwellings were scattered around the hillside.

As the convoy came to a halt, the eight UN soldiers were quickly out of the armoured car and Landrovers, weapons at the ready, binoculars scanning the overlooking hills. The Kurdish car pulled up behind them and the Peshmerga fighters leaned lazily on the vehicle while two went off to relieve themselves on the river side of the road.

Heaven knows what the two nearby middle-aged men thought of the aliens stepping out of the middle Landrover. Yol Ghal Selin was a heavily built Purrs, even larger than Yol Merofort. The other, Ya Strin Verolmoron was a Racutaan, similar in build and appearance to the Ambassador.

Yol Selin called out to the people in perfect esponged Arabic, ‘Don’t be afraid. We are inspectors from the Galactic Federation and would like to ask you some questions.’

The two men walked tentatively towards the group. An old woman, a younger woman, and some children ran from an outbuilding into the main building.

‘And your women. Don’t be concerned, we are just gathering information. Bring the children too,’ shouted Yol Selin.

‘These are UN troops. They won’t harm you. They are here to protect us,’ called Ya Verolmoron.

The men came closer and the women and children overcame their apprehension and slowly made their way down the slope.

‘I know I look like a gorilla, but I’m actually a real person from another planet,’ said Yol Selin.

‘How have you been managing through the conflict?’ asked Ya Verolmoron as the family approached.

The women were heavily veiled, but one said, ‘It has been hard. Food is expensive and the Daesh fighters stole our seeds and livestock. They killed the young men.’

One of the children reached out to touch the Purrs’ blue hair, then snatched his hand away.

‘It’s okay,’ Yol Selin said quietly. ‘Shake my hand,’ and he put out his huge palm towards the child who took it and gently shook it, snatching his hand away again and running behind one of the women. Perhaps it was his mother.

In the distance, coming from Sheladiz was a ten-ton lorry, making its way leisurely northwards. The UN troops suggested the inspectors get into one of the Landrovers.

The family looked towards the truck and, seeing the aliens were gone, returned towards their home.

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