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Ambassador's Life Ch. 01

By: SEVERUSMAX



Abel Kalitz considered his new appointment a distinctive honor. As the first Ambassador of the Federation of West Asia to the Dekerin Domains, he hoped to get the tall, hairless, orange-skinned humanoid extraterrestrials to establish permanent diplomatic ties with his country, one of 12 nations still in existence on Earth. The FWA already had 2 lunar colonies, but still wanted to expand its reach.

Kalitz found himself amused every time that he read old sci-fi novels that had assumed that the planet would have a world government by the time it made first contact with alien species. Every expectation had been confounded. Strangely, the planetary conditions on most worlds required similar traits to survive as did Earth's. There were only slight variations.

One example of this was the vastness of the single ocean on Dekeris. It covered 87% of the surface of the planet. Some tectonic and seismic differences prevented the formation of more than one habitable continent, with the other one being too hot to populate. The average temperature of what the natives called Yinaria (place of suffering) was 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

On the northern continent, Yimurda (place of habitation), the temperature varied from 30 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 100 degrees in summer. It was a rainy, stormy, well forested world. However, many of the trees were leveled to allow for farmland.

The consequence of this concentration was that the civilization was more homogenous and united. In fact, it was politically unified and had been for the past 600 years. Unfortunately, the stability of the world came at a high price: a lack of freedom. There was no democracy, as such, on Dekeris. It was an oligarchy of 39 "magnates" who governed through a council and an assembly of 128 lesser notables or "peers".

This system allowed all titled aristocrats some say in the governance of their planet. However, everyone else was left out of the world government. A limited political franchise existed for cities, of which there were 20 major ones, all patronized by baronial charters. Nevertheless, the real power was wielded by the Lords of the ruling Council.

The Council was formed after a successful uprising against the last monarch to rule Dekeris, some 400 years ago. The Lords had needed to replace the old system with something stable, so a new ruler could not emerge from the chaos of another feudal war. Eventually, urban pressures and peasant revolts had forced the introduction of some social reforms, but only as little as the magnates and peers could tolerate.

Serfdom was abolished and the cities were granted charters, but these included a system of craft and merchant guilds that still controlled the towns. Peasants still worked the same lands as before, only they were now obliged to pay rents and taxes in money instead of kind (produce). They could now be tried instead of summarily executed. The trials were officiated by judges appointed by the Lords, without juries, but there was some form of due process. Townspeople were tried by magistrates appointed by the Guild of Lawyers. Having gotten an appointment to confer with Lord Parlas yi-Rolunum, head of the Council of Magnates, Ambassador Kalitz had to wait in the aristocrat's study for him. It was a rather ostentatious chamber compared to most rooms in the head of state's residence. There were maroon and navy blue walls. Apparently, dark and rich colors were preferred on Dekeris, though black, dark brown, and dark green were more common.

A thin attendant entered the room at that point and announced, "Hail, His Most Excellent Lordship, Lord Parlas yi-Rolunum, head of the Council of Magnates of the Dekerin Domains. Rise and salute our Lord, for he hath granted thee an audience."

"I rise and salute His Lordship, thanking him for the kindness and courtesy of his audience. May he rule firmly, bravely, justly, and severely throughout his domain, worthy of the deeds of his ancestors, deserving of the accolades of posterity. May he be free from weakness and corruption. May his name survive throughout the ages and his line continue for eternity," Kalitz formally spoke the protocol required of a suppliant in a Lord's presence.

"We permit you to approach us with the most solemn deference. We accept your credentials as worthy of an emissary of a ruler. May you thrive inasmuch as you harm us not. May you prove deserving of such honors as you have been given. May you speak truth rather than falsehood. Welcome, servant and agent of your ruler. We now give you a place for your dwelling and the comforts of such a place. Be satisfied with your provisions and your lodgings. Let the retainers take you hence to your shelter. You are dismissed from our presence for this day," Lord Parlas declared ritually.

When he finished, his retainers indeed led Ambassador Kalitz to his residence. It was a small, but comfortable with one rather notable feature: 2 bald-headed maids. They wore short, brown skirts and dark green blouses. They were also barefoot. At the risk of sounding like a bigot, he really DID have trouble telling them apart. Were they twins? Despite the lack of hair on their heads, they were actually quite attractive, with blue-yellow eyes and curvaceous bodies.

"Are you pleased, Master?" the one to the left eventually asked.

"Pleased with what, miss?" he responded.

"Us, Master. We are your maids, lent to your service by our Lord, the head of the Council of Magnates. As we are in your charge, but you are not a Lord, you are our Master instead. We shall serve you in whatever manner you please, Master. Are you pleased with us?" she inquired.

"Very pleased. I'm just glad that I'm not married anymore. Otherwise, it might create an incident and all for that ungrateful bitch. Pardon my French. I take it that you are required to provide me with pleasure. Am I right?" he answered, realizing what the maid had meant by "whatever manner".

"Naturally. Our bodies exist for service to our Lord and any man to whom he may lend us. We are but humble maids in His Lordship's household. We are not allowed to deny any man our bodies when we are commanded to serve that man. My sister and I are peasants and not Master's equals. If he should deign to enjoy our bodies, we would be honored. We are forbidden to marry for precisely that reason," the 2nd one spoke at last.

"So, you ARE twins! I thought as much," the Ambassador exclaimed.

"Yes, Master. We are twin sisters assigned to the household staff of His Lordship and forbidden to be joined in wedlock to any man. We seek to please you in any way that you desire. Shall we undress?" the first sister said.

"Yes. What are your names, by the way?" he probed.

"Women do not have names. That way, we learn to accept whatever a man calls us. No woman has any rights or freedom on Dekeris. That includes the ladies of the nobility. They are usually just called 'Lady' by everyone. Sometimes, to distinguish them, they are addressed with their husbands' household names in addition to that title. We are possessions, not equals," the second girl explained as she disrobed.

When both were naked, they approached Abel and removed his clothes without any ado. It was as if such a task was understood and accepted in preparation for sexual intercourse. Apparently, it was also expected that a woman kneel before a man after she had taken off his clothing. Both sisters were on their knees in front of their temporary Master.

"Do you know to suck a man's cock?" he asked, pointing to his manhood.

"Yes, Master. We shall suck it if you command it of us," they replied together.

"Then I command it of you. Be careful with the teeth, though," he ordered them.

Without even a slight appearance of shame, the girls proceeded to put the Ambassador's dick in their mouths, licking and sucking it. Evidently, this was old hat to them. They deep-throated him better than the prostitutes of downtown Tel Aviv could have ever hoped to do for a man.

For a sabra, a man born in the Autonomous Province of Israel, the lack of social equality between the sexes was quite strange and disturbing. However, it DID have its practical benefits, as Abel discovered to his delight. The girls were doing their absolute best to satisfy his needs, with no overt worry about their own. That was a LOT more than Kalitz could have said about his ex-wife Sonia.

Having gotten him stiff, they gestured to find out if he wanted to go ahead and cum in their mouths or finish somewhere else. He pointed to their pussies, signaling that he would fuck the more outspoken one first, while she ate her sister out. He was pleased to find out that there was no embarrassment about performing a Sapphic act at the behest of a man.

Silently and efficiently, the first girl spread the second's legs and began to suck on her clit. Obviously, there were fewer sexual taboos and inhibitions on Dekeris than there still were on parts of Earth. Incest held no disgrace and caused no scandal on this planet.

All of this inevitably excited Abel as he entered the maid's cunt from behind. The knowledge that he could order them to lick each other as well as share him was splendid. He had been in threesomes in the past, but never one that he controlled so completely. He could tell them how to satisfy him and they would obey. There would be no confusion or awkwardness about carrying out this orgy.

As he slammed into the alien woman, Kalitz heard a growl from her mouth and her sister's. Evidently, Dekerin women were more easily aroused by sex than most of their Terran counterparts. This seemed to make them happier and more content with their lives as well. That might well be why they don't rebel against the men, he thought.

In any case, he continued to pound the lady roughly while she tasted her twin. When he released his first load, however, the girls switched without asking him. Clearly, they had a custom of sharing a man's seed every time. The 2nd female vigorously bucked back at him while she cleaned his cum off the outside of her sister's sex.

Abel spent the rest of his spunk in the other girl's womanhood, amazed that he could avoid finishing his orgasm before she swapped with her sister. Obviously, the maids were experts at threesomes, knowing how quickly to exchange places and not to lick up the seed from inside each other's cunts. They must not be very young if they were that experienced, he realized as he pulled his shrinking dick from the second female.

After the first woman completed cleaning her twin, she led Kalitz and her sister to the bedchamber, where they rested. While the girls slept, the Ambassador decided that he HAD to give them names. Otherwise, he'd be confused.

He remembered that one of the women had referred to accepting whatever names they were called. That implied that the Dekerin sometimes had to resolve the same problem. Yet, they did nothing long-term, which indicated a fear that names would give the females too strong a sense of self and identity. They probably believed that such an increase in self-esteem would jeopardize their highly patriarchal society.

Given what he had seen of feminine attitudes on Dekeris, he considered that an improbable threat to the social order. The peasants and merchants were far more likely to stage uprisings. Part of him hoped that it would occur soon, but the rest feared that he would be blamed for triggering it back on Earth. It would be regarded an interplanetary incident, even if it turned out well, which he doubted would happen the first time around. Based on Earth's history, he thought a violent revolution would involve a Reign of Terror like that instigated by Robespierre and his Jacobin Club in 18th Century France. Ultimately, it would work out, but not until after much bloodshed and destruction.

Whatever the case, Abel determined to call them Prima and Secunda, Latin words that meant "first" and "second". This would be a good way to tell them apart. Since they didn't speak that dead language, they wouldn't take any offense to it, either. Besides, they were maids, bound to the soil and required to obey their Masters.

This was a hard concept for a Jewish man from 22nd Century Earth to understand, but it was their life. The year 2169 had no meaning on Dekeris, at least not for the natives. He wondered what he would experience if he ever visited the neighboring planets: Macureus, Akros, and Vorindun. All had intelligent life and complex social systems, though he doubted there would be as much personal satisfaction for him on those worlds.

He realized that he needed to catch some sleep now, so that he would be ready for his next meeting with high officials of the Dekerin Domains. Setting up an embassy and working with extraterrestrial bureaucrats would be exhausting work for sure. He was just glad to have some recreation, in the form of 2 exotic servants.

Ambassador's Life Ch. 02



Abel Kalitz, Ambassador Extraordinary of the Federation of West Asia to the Dekerin Domains, had just arrived at his new Embassy, which turned out to be a disappointment. It was a dull, Spartan-looking building with only 2 stories and a rather utilitarian décor.

Nevertheless, it was bad form for a diplomat to complain about his accommodations, especially one whose host had provided him with 2 maidservants required to service him sexually. That was one pleasant surprise about his new living situation. His office also proved nice for such a drab facility. It had the rich maroon color associated with a government official, though not the navy blue reserved for the peers and magnates of the State, of course.

What Mr. Kalitz didn't realize was that things were about to get worse for him. He had visited a planet whose rulers had unwisely started a war with their neighbors. They hadn't bothered to mention this to him, but he started to notice some disturbing signs of a strapped Exchequer and a private sector oppressed by rationing.

At least his own Federation had put the ancient Arab-Israeli Wars behind it. They were a sad page of history that most West Asians preferred to forget. The Dekerins, however, had a vendetta with the nearby Macureans, who were ruled by an intellectual elite. Apparently, it was a conflict rooted in ideology as well as greed for the mines of certain disputed moons.

The Dekerins accused the Macureans of being a world run by "godless", pansy philosophers with plenty of book knowledge, but no "common sense" or courage. The latter, for their part, regarded the former as a backward, primitive, superstitious civilization barely worthy of the term.

There was some truth to both sides' claims, but they were distorted by propaganda. The Macureans were atheists who would have given the late Madeleine Murray O'Hair a run for her money, just as the Dekerins had an oppressive feudal hierarchy. However, the philosophers who governed Macureus had experience with actual administration and proved capable of taking risks. The nobles who controlled Dekeris were more artistically and culturally sophisticated than their enemies wished to admit.

After a day of frustrated haggling with top officials of the Dekerin External Affairs Bureau, Kalitz was tempted to give up. His maids helped relieve his stress, but the next day proved even more exasperating. What was the matter with these inane and provincial Dekerins, anyway? Every thought and feeling seemed directed at preserving as much of the status quo as possible. They wanted to make as few concessions to necessity and reality as they could avoid. How could THEY consider the Macureans impractical, he wondered to himself.

Well, if the arrogant pricks don't learn to adapt soon, they won't have a Dekeris to defend. Either that, or revolution would be a distinct probability for the near future. Given their domestic house of cards, that was looking to be the smarter bet.

So the Ambassador thought, when he was suddenly approached by a native member of his Embassy staff, who looked totally ashen. That would have been impressive for an orange-skinned extraterrestrial, if it were not for the nature of his information. He seemed shaken and absolutely stunned.

"What's the matter, Eupas?" he probed, now quite afraid himself.

"It's an INVASION, sir! They are here and about to seize the capital! You have to leave, Ambassador! It's dangerous," Eupas announced at last.

"Who's invading? The Macureans?" Kalitz inquired, worrying about what would happen then to him and the staff.

"No, it's the Akrosian Empire! They have blasted through the planetary defenses and are landing Imperial Marines! 3 battalions of them! They are storming the capital NOW!" he screamed.

"The Akrosians are attacking Dekeris? Why? Are they allied to Macureus or something?" he demanded.

"Not that I know. The AKROSIANS don't form alliances, or at least they haven't in the past few centuries. They are imperialists and expansionists, not the peace-loving or treaty-making type of people," Eupas explained.

"Well, calm down, Eupas. I doubt that even the Akrosians will risk war with the Federation of West Asia. They have enough fighting on their hands for now, I imagine. We'll be safe, I think," Kalitz reassured the aide.

Even so, he hurried home to make sure that his maids were not in danger. He had grown very fond of the twins, Prima and Secunda, since they had become his personal servants. They greeted him with a bow, as usual. It was their habit to kneel in his presence. He had added a custom, of course: they were to stay naked in the house.

"Master, what is it?" Prima asked anxiously.

"Don't worry about it right now, dear. Bend over for me. I want to fuck your ass. Secunda, I want you to clean up for me, licking all my seed from her bottom," Abel ordered them.

"Yes, Master," they said together.

Prima gladly bent herself over some of the furniture to let him take her anally. Obviously, sodomy was not condemned in Dekerin society, either. In fact, Kalitz heard gossip about Eupas and others being homosexuals. It wouldn't have surprised him if that were true. Abel applied some of his lube to the girl's backdoor and entered her, while her sister watched lustfully. Voyeurism seemed to be ALMOST as common on Dekeris as it was on Earth. The main difference was that the Dekerins engaged more openly in acts that were sometimes still taboo on Earth. That reduced the need for voyeurism to some extent.

For all of their stupid traditions about the role of women and the social injustice that the Ambassador had observed, the Dekerins were smarter about sexuality than most humans, he realized. It was mankind that was still in the Dark Ages about sexual freedom. Dekeris, after all, didn't have age of consent laws nearly as restrictive as those on his own planet.

On Dekeris, 16 was the age of consent and regarded as "youth". The Dekerins didn't have sentimental notions of guaranteeing someone a prolonged childhood. Nor were parents allowed to deny responsibility for raising children, regardless of their age. "Deadbeat dads" were non-existent on this world. Anyone who tried that was flogged in public. It was harsh, but effective.

Kalitz thought about this for only a little while. The tight hole around his cock increasingly made it tough for him to process thoughts at all beyond the pleasure of fucking an alien's bottom. He slammed into her sphincter with greater force this time, as she was becoming used to it. Evidently, she enjoyed his dick in her backdoor, as she became wet again.

Secunda was also having fun, since she had begun playing with her clit. The key difference between hers and a human female's was that the former was more sensitive. She found herself getting off very quickly, whereas a woman of Abel's race would take MUCH longer in most cases. She was a highly sensual person, much like her sister. Apparently, that was normal on Dekeris.

After a dozen minutes of buggering Prima, the Ambassador came in her butt. Pulling his limp manhood from her asshole, he pointed to it, indicating that it was time for Secunda to eat all of it. She didn't wait for a verbal command, instead putting her mouth and tongue where he had directed her.

The truth was that Secunda was in love with her sister and had been since puberty. Perhaps it was transferred narcissism to feel that way about her own twin, but she had passionate feelings about her. ANY chance to kiss, touch, taste, or please her sibling was delightful to the girl. This was just another such excuse. Prima was clueless about this, because she preferred males. However, that didn't stop Secunda from loving her.

Her tongue slid hungrily between Prima's cheeks, lapping up the cum from her twin's ass. As she devoured her sister, Abel noticed the desire in the maid that reminded him of the way that his brother Moshe used to look at a Palestinian Arab girl in Jerusalem. He seemed to think of her as a nymph. Secunda clearly felt much the same way about her sibling.

The sight of one of his maids rimming the other was exactly the sort of diversion that the Ambassador needed after such a hectic day. He didn't worry about whether one of his servants was a lesbian. She responded too well to his dick for that. No, she was bisexual, though in love with another female. From what he had seen and felt of Prima, he didn't blame her sister for loving her.

Unfortunately, while Secunda licked his seed from her identical twin, Kalitz received a dispatch over the computer that returned him to a darker world. The Akrosians had captured the main government buildings in a daring assault that utilized a great deal of special operations. He had to hurry back to the Embassy, to check on the political situation.

"Here, clean my cock so I can get dressed. There is still some cum on it," he commanded the girls.

Prima particularly showed an enthusiasm to licking the spunk off the cock that had just sodomized her. Secunda was almost as glad, but her enjoyment of the act was less than the pleasure that she took with her beloved sister. Too bad that Prima didn't know, he thought. I don't plan to give either of them up, but when I leave, they should be together. They would make a great couple, assuming that the Dekerins didn't try to keep them apart in the future.

His dick clean at last, he kissed both girls on the mouth and returned to the Embassy, where he encountered Eupas again. The assistant clearly hadn't gotten past his concern over the Akrosian attack. If anything, he was even MORE bothered by the idea of an alien occupation. What would happen to him and the rest of his people? Would the Dekerin Home Guard be able to repulse the invasion and drive the enemy off his world? If not, would the takeover be mild or brutal?

The Ambassador had to stress somewhat himself about the same basic issues, though from a distinct perspective. The fighting was still happening in the capital, but the Akrosians seemed to have achieved a tactical surprise and taken control of the seat of government. Did that mean that the war was over, or simply that the Council of Magnates had fled the city?

If it was the latter, the Akrosians could expect bitter resistance from the Dekerin military and populace. Even the worst rulers tended to inspire loyalty and courage from their people during an invasion, Abel knew. The 2nd World War in the mid-20th Century was a case in point. Joseph Stalin had brutally persecuted, mistreated, and killed many of his countrymen, but they eventually backed him (for the most part) against Adolph Hitler and his Nazi Germany.

Suddenly, a knock was heard at the Embassy's front door. When Eupas opened it, an Akrosian Imperial Marine stepped inside. He had a squad of comrades with him. They trained their laser pistols on Kalitz.

"Which one of you is the Ambassador from West Asia?" the soldier demanded.

"I am, sir. What's your name and purpose for violating my diplomatic privileges?" Abel reacted.

"I am Lieutenant Aldenar of the 16th Battalion of the Akrosian Imperial Marine Force. I have been ordered to provide security for this facility and protect all neutrals. That includes you, Ambassador Kalitz. The Occupational Authority will want to confer with you tomorrow, so that you will understand the full situation and the Empress's reasons for going to war," the commander declared.

"Very well, but it's not necessary. The security detail, I mean. The Federation provides guards for that. Perhaps you've noticed them," Kalitz informed him.

"Her Imperial Majesty believes that your guards will not command sufficient respect from some of the rabble to protect you from terrorist activity. She has decided to station this detail here for your own safety. We apologize on her behalf for any violating of your government's sovereignty," the Lieutenant explained.

"Very well. But I will note that it is not the Government that is sovereign in West Asia. That belongs to the People," the Ambassador stated, deliberately goading the Imperial officer.

"That is a political issue. It doesn't concern me," the soldier told him.

Yeah, right, Kalitz thought. This whole fucking thing is political. The Empress is seizing a chance to attack a world that offends her ideology. She cannot accept the existence of a planet where women have no property or rights and the State has no personal sovereign. Well, it's not me that has to worry about this. I'm a neutral. I can watch and laugh. History has taught me that forcing political systems on people that are not willing or able to accept them, for whatever reason, is a gesture doomed to failure.

Any liberation must ultimately come from within, unless the oppressor foolishly attacks you. Then all bets are off. That's YOUR situation. The Dekerins will make you pay. I wouldn't be surprised if this war ends up changing your form of government more than theirs. For all of their social inequities, they have at least grasped the folly of absolute despotism. In that sense, they are astronomical units ahead of you Akrosians.

I can sit back and enjoy your suffering, you imbeciles. I don't even have to lift a finger, though I suspect that my staff will take part in the resistance and I will just look the other way. Well, at least this assignment will be more exciting and intriguing than I first hoped. No more dull consultations with bureaucrats. Instead, espionage and reports back to Kuwait City about the progress of the war will be my new role; well, that and pretending to be just a smiling diplomat at state dinners.

Something tells me that my new maids are permanently in my possession now. Lord Parlas, if he is even alive, won't be looking for them any time soon. He has bigger fish to fry for a while. I shall definitely protect and enjoy them as my own, because they are mine as of today. 



Ambassador's Life Ch. 03



When Ambassador Abel Kalitz (along with his much despised Akrosian escorts) arrived in the Grand Hall of the Council of Magnates, he saw General Hatrit of the Akrosian Imperial Marines sitting on the chair traditionally reserved for the head of the Council of Magnates. This hardly surprised him, but what did shock him was that Admiral Dopar of the Imperial Akrosian Space Fleet attended this meeting herself. Apparently, this audience was too important for the head of the Occupational Authority; the Commander of the Joint Expeditionary Force was pulling rank with him.

"General Hatrit and Admiral Dopar, I greet you in the name of the Federation of West Asia, whose Ambassador and representative I am. I have come in answer to your official summons. I must formally protest your actions on behalf of my government, however. My government regards unprovoked aggression, conquest, and military occupation as crimes against peace and the rights of sovereign peoples.

"Nevertheless, I suppose that protests are useless. Your government has taken this course of action and it is irrevocable. You must continue on this path.

"The Federation of West Asia is neutral in this dispute, as we do not get involved in other planets' wars. We will not interfere in any way with your occupation, nor will we assist it in any manner. Whatever happens is not our affair. I am here for the purpose of representing the Federation of West Asia on this world, nothing else. I hereby present my credentials to you, the existing government of this world," Kalitz introduced himself.

An unidentified man in a very familiar uniform then walked into the chamber, his hair suddenly displayed by the removal of his cap. He smirked wickedly as he stared at the Ambassador, and then stood at attention.

"This is Captain Han Xiao of the People's Liberation Army Space Service. He is serving as an advisor to Her Majesty's Imperial Marines and the Occupational Authority. The People's Republic of China was nice enough to loan us his services. I believe that you are aware of that nation, being from Earth," Admiral Dopar announced coldly, her white eyes staring at Abel without any evident feelings.

"Yes, the Federation of West Asia has had diplomatic relations with China since it was founded. It is one of the 12 sovereign nations of Earth. I must admit to being stunned by this fact, as the Chinese have a very different form of government than your Empire. They are ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, not a monarch, and have been for the past 220 years," the Ambassador stated with feigned nonchalance, while privately seething about this alliance between 2 despicable governments. What happened to Akros's traditional unilateralism? It would be more useful to him in this situation.

"The other ten nations being: the United States of America, the European Union, the African Union, the Pacific Confederacy, the South Asian Confederation, the Federation of Eurasian Republics, the Commonwealth of Australasia, the Union of Balkan States, the Anglo-Canadian Empire, and the Latin Social Republic?" General Hatrit asked.

"That would be correct. The FER is the largest country and Australasia is the smallest," Kalitz replied with a continued façade to hide his sense of outrage.

"Our reasons for dealing with the Chinese and not some other nation have little to do with ideology. We don't care what political system your Earth states have; they are too far away to spread their contagions. The Dekerin Domains, however, have a warrior tradition that could be trouble for us in the future. If they should ever seek to expand their territory beyond its present limits or impose their ideology on other worlds, we would see a reversion to primitive economic and political models that would endanger the rights of the Empress and her successors. The recent war with Macureus escalates that risk.

"We do not care what happens to Macureus, but we saw our opportunity to strike the Dekerins when they were distracted. The Macureans and Vorindun are likely to avoid trouble with us in the future. Akros will be the most powerful world in the solar system. So, you see, this is a pre-emptive strike. We are not trying to harm an innocent people. We are simply adding a primitive civilization to Her Majesty's Empire.

"Anyway, the People's Republic of China showed the most aptitude and interest in participating, as well as asking a reasonable price: access to files from the Imperial Sub-Ministry of Patents and Copyrights. I don't know why they care about that, but it is a bargain for the expertise they offered us for the invasion and occupation. There is no 'crime' here at all," General Hatrit commented.

I take it that intellectual property is not an important principle to your society? The reason that the Chinese want access to your files is simple: they want to sell some of your technology to other nations and worlds without paying you any royalties, as they would have to do with any human nation.

I'm guessing that you suspect as much, but your government is deliberately forsaking revenue for military assistance. You must REALLY hate the Dekerins to go along with that, pretending to be naïve about Beijing's intentions. It sounds like the kind of understanding that the Americans had with China in the late 20th century, before they realized that the Communist Chinese couldn't be trusted. The only difference was that America wanted markets and cheap labor instead of military aid, Kalitz thought.

This changes everything for my country and me, you fools. We were prepared to stay neutral in this conflict, because we wanted to avoid interplanetary entanglements. Now you have meddled with our world, enabling the Red Chinese to get a corner on YOUR technology, no less. This technology can and will be used by the Beijing regime to increase its balance of trade, upgrade its industries, and strengthen its armed forces.

Since you are tampering with the natural development of our planet, we will return the favor. I will strongly urge my government to warn other nations on Earth of what China intends and seek its permission to help the Dekerin resistance, whatever form it might take. I will also try to get the Macureans and Vorindun to oppose your foreign policy, possibly by force. I have learned some things about them and will use that knowledge to my benefit. I will even attempt to help any underground dissident movement on your world.

"I understand, General. Should I call you 'Governor' now? That is the traditional title for the administrators of political entities within a state on my world, you know. I gather that Admiral Dopar will not be gracing most of these meetings with you, as she must need to return to her spaceship soon. I will have to say to you, as I did to Lieutenant Aldenar here, that I do NOT need a security detail from the Imperial Marines or the Occupational Authority. I have my own security people from the Federation Defense Forces. They are quite capable of protecting me, I promise you," Abel spoke aloud.

"That is your opinion, Ambassador. I have to respect it, just as I have to accept your credentials. Nevertheless, I do not have to abide by it. Lieutenant Aldenar remains at the Embassy with you, in order to guarantee your safety and that of the Embassy staff. You can keep your own security force, as there can be no such thing as too much protection. You are dismissed for now and by all means call me 'Governor'. I like the title very much," General Hatrit reacted.

Ambassador Kalitz left in a huff, though he didn't tell the General and Admiral, of course. What was the problem with these arrogant Akrosians? They thought that they were entitled to distort entire worlds and affect their evolution, just for their own twisted purposes. He would DEFINITELY contact the Dekerin resistance, assuming that there would be such a thing. As they were a "warrior" people, he had no real doubts of that.

What he found most intriguing was the fact that these Akrosians had no real purpose to invade, outside of paranoia about the militaristic nature of the Dekerin aristocracy. This fear was exacerbated by the Empress's disgust with the social inequality and male chauvinism of Dekerin society. Essentially, she mistrusted and disliked the Dekerin Domains, which was her motivation in waging what Kalitz could only term a "crusade". Ideology and an almost religious brand of intolerance were the justifications that Her Imperial Majesty used for this conflict.

There were no rational, practical goals here: no serious financial motives existed to exploit a world considerably poorer in technology and resources than Akros itself. The whole reason for Dekeris's war with Macureus was to win control of disputed mining colonies, which would improve the Domains' economy. In the long run, the inevitable victory of the Macurean Star Forces would cause that world to profit more from the invasion than Akros.

There was no sexual motivation, either. Akros was a civilization where the sexes were totally equal and practiced serial monogamy. Nor was swinging allowed. No individuals could agree to an open marriage. There was a standard contract, enforceable by Imperial law, which lasted for exactly 5 years and could NOT be renewed. Any extramarital activity was punishable by assignment to a penal colony for the remainder of the contract. Even the wronged party was forbidden to retaliate in kind. This was to be expected on a planet whose motto was "Unity, Equality, and Conformity".

Such was the dedication to equality that even the monarchy was affected. The ruler chose his or her successor and had to name someone with proven quality, who could not be from the same sex as his or her predecessor. Upon the death or abdication of an Emperor or Empress, that nominee (who was traditionally a protégé instead of a relative) was enthroned. This system was known as "rotating accession".

The consort of the monarch was not exempt from the Expiration, as the obligatory end of a marriage term was known. This was why no permanent title was awarded to the mate (the gender specific terms of "husband" and "wife" were politically unacceptable) of a potentate.

Therefore, most Akrosian soldiers were unlikely to benefit from the military occupation by mating with locals. Premarital intercourse happened, but only in the context of a "steady relationship". Furthermore, interspecies copulation was a capital offense, with the condemned brutally tortured to death (the execution involved mutilation of the genitals). Anything "socially imprudent" was deemed "nonconformist" and therefore a crime.

Since all of the logical causes were eliminated, Ambassador Kalitz had to conclude that the situation boded ill for the Dekerin people. The only goal of the invasion was to eradicate a threat; this was precisely the kind of paranoid thinking that led to the 20th Century Holocaust instituted by Adolph Hitler. The Empress could easily decide to adopt a policy of extermination, if she hadn't already. Conquerors who had financial or sexual purposes for aggression were less likely to practice genocide, as it would be wasteful and counterproductive.

The Ambassador finally arrived at the Embassy, where he was greeted anxiously by Prima and Secunda. Eupas and the rest of the native staff were also nervous, as they wondered what had happened to their world and its government. The Federation's security detail, which was mostly composed of Yemeni Arab veterans, viewed the Akrosian military presence with obvious suspicion. They clearly thought the Imperial Marines capable of ruthless behavior such as assassination.

"Ambassador, these people are not necessary here. I hope you protested their meddling with our duties and violation of our sovereignty. There is no reason to put you in 'protective custody'. It sounds suspiciously like house arrest," Major Imam Ali Mohammed al-Kareem of the Federation Defense Forces Security Corps complained in his native Arabic.

"Certainly, Major. However, we are NOT in a position to do much about it. There are 3 battalions of Akrosian Imperial Marines in this city alone. That's at least 1500 men and women, well-armed, answering to a monarch from another planet who has their absolute loyalty. Your ancestors were sovereigns in their own right, so you know what that means to many subjects.

"The Akrosians are fanatical royalists and there are 28 of them in the protective detail. They have laser rifles and pistols, plus hand grenades and serrated knives. It would be unwise to do something that ends with all of us either dead or in some kind of gulag," Kalitz told him in the same language.

"I understand, sir. We will do our job within the constraints imposed on us by this arrangement. By Allah, however, we do not have to be pleased about it.

"I am rather curious about their reason for attacking this world, after all. From what I have heard, these Akrosians are strictly monogamous during their wretched short-term marriages, so this is not about females. In any case, there are plenty of those in their military, if ever they should decide to break their laws.

"Then there is money; this world is not going to yield them much financially, so why bother? There are no women and no wealth, which are the usual motives for conquest. I would have to call this the Akrosian version of jihad. In the past, a small percentage of my people were caught up in foolish ideas of shoving Islam down people's throats, whether they wanted it or not. This was mostly believed during the late 20th Century and early 21st.

"It also resembles the Communists and their push throughout most of the 20th Century to achieve 'world revolution' by force. They have the same basic idea: invade and coerce this world into altering its political system.

"The same was true with President Bush of the USA in the year 2003, when he tried to make Iraq a democracy by taking it over. While he had some success, the country ended up splitting into Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish fiefdoms after the US eventually left Iraq. It didn't really move toward freedom and democracy until the Iraqi Revolution of 2060, after the people of the Shiite and Sunni zones got tired of fundamentalism and rose up against the mullahs. It is an academic question even today whether his action delayed or accelerated the liberation.

"My point is that I fear for these people. Your own people have been victims of genocide in the past and it wouldn't surprise me if the Akrosians had the same plan for the inhabitants of this world. If so, may Allah help them, whatever the state of their souls in His sight," the Major declared, this time in Hebrew.

"Yes, the Crusades and the jihad DO come to mind, along with the Holocaust and Stalin's Purges. You are clearly a sensible and compassionate man, Ali. No wonder your wives love you so much. Just be careful. You're lucky that the Akrosians don't know Arabic or Hebrew, just Chinese and English. Typical fools, only bothering to learn the most popular languages from our world," Abel replied.

"Excuse me, but I don't appreciate being confused by your discussion. Will you please speak Akrosian, English, or Mandarin?" Aldenar objected, inadvertently illustrating Kalitz's point.

"We were talking about his family, Lieutenant. He is very concerned about one of his mothers. She seems to be stricken with pneumonia," the Ambassador lied in English.

"Pneumonia? What is that?" the bewildered Lieutenant inquired.

"It is a fatal disease of the lungs. If it infects both of them, death happens imminently. He was invoking Allah, his God, to try to help her," Kalitz deceived him.

"He does not worship the Equals? I have heard that no one bows to the Duality on your world, but it seems very strange for such an advanced culture not to do so. Who is this 'Allah'? Is he or she your God as well?" Aldenar probed.

"The Major here is a Yemeni Arab and, like most of them, a Muslim. That means that he worships Allah and no other God. They practice a very strict monotheistic religion based on simplicity, social justice, and asceticism. He is of the Sunni sect, the majority branch of that faith. He is also the direct descendant of a dynasty that ruled his people until about 200 Earth years ago," Abel informed him.

"Why did you say ONE of his mothers? He has more than one? Is he polygamous?" the Lieutenant demanded.

"Yes, he has 3 wives. They are very smart and passionate women, from what he has told me. I think that he would prefer death to divorcing any of them. He treats them EQUALLY, as his faith commands a Muslim who practices plural marriage. That should please you, with all of your emphasis on equality," the Ambassador explained sardonically.

"I gather that you find the Empire's motto amusing? I suppose it's possible that one person's custom is another person's deviation. I am mated to a female, but she lives on the home planet. We have 3 months left until the Expiration and I will look for another mate. It is no real inconvenience to me for that reason. A season of celibacy is tolerable enough and I have no interest in spending that time in prison," Aldenar responded.

"You are the first Akrosian that I have heard expressing ANY tolerance for other worlds' traditions. That is progress, but I wouldn't spoke too freely. You might end up in serious trouble with your superiors. Conformity is part of the motto, too, if I recall correctly," Abel noted.

"Yes. I follow orders from my superiors, Ambassador. My own views matter not. Only the will of the Empress and the orders that Her Majesty's officers give me count," Lieutenant Aldenar stood, then saluted and walked outside to inspect a squad.

"Amazing lack of respect for individuality, isn't it? Even the smartest, most independent of them dare not criticize their beloved despot. However, I think THAT one will be as much trouble for their regime in the long run as he will be for the Dekerins. He has too much curiosity to fall into lockstep with the Empress forever. He has 'revolutionary' and 'mutineer' written all over his face," Kalitz commented.

"True. He doesn't look like a man given to blind obedience. People like him are his world's best chance for escaping tyranny and terror," Ali agreed.

"Indeed, but there are other issues. I have to contact the Federation Foreign Ministry and let them know the worst part. The Red Chinese are helping the Akrosians with their operations here, in exchange for access to files about patents and copyrights. This is a serious matter. They are tampering with the political development of Earth for their own purposes. They MUST be stopped now.

"There will be no neutrality soon, though we might pretend to be neutral for a while. Perhaps Eupas and some of the others can contact people and find out whether there is an emerging resistance movement of some kind. I also need to know if anyone from the Council of Magnates has survived the attack, as they might be useful to leading Dekerin patriots against the occupation," the Ambassador instructed him.

Kalitz then withdrew to his main office and initiated communications with the Foreign Ministry to brief it about the situation. It took a couple of minutes to achieve the connection, at which point the Deputy Foreign Minister for Embassies and Consulates acknowledged his notice. She was a 50 year old woman with surprisingly European looks and a graduate of the University of Istanbul. Mira Cemalek wore no veil, but she was hardly the most traditional Muslim anyway. She was a divorced career diplomat with only one child and a fondness for vodka.

"Deputy Foreign Minister Mira Cemalek here, prepared for the briefing," she announced in Turkish.

"Ambassador Extraordinary Abel Kalitz here, Madame Deputy Minister. I have some rather infuriating news for you. You might be aware by now that the Akrosian Empire has invaded the Dekerin Domains. I have just found out something even worse. The Chinese government is assisting them militarily with advisors, on the condition of getting access to copyright and patent files. They are trying to use this situation to gain strategic, tactical, and logistical advantages over the rest of us.




Ambassador's Life Ch. 03



"I strongly believe this to be a serious interference by the Akrosian Empire into the political situation on Earth and a major push by the People's Republic of China to become the world's superpower. I also think that the Dekerin people are likely to resist the occupation in some form or another and we should consider aiding them. There is SOME chance that a few of the Magnates may have survived, but we should help whomever is in charge of fighting the invaders. "Another thing to consider is whether or not to enlist the help of the Macureans and the Vorindun against the Akrosians. Speaking of alliances, we should also think about persuading some foreign governments back on Earth to combine against the Chinese menace.

"I also have fears of possible genocide against the Dekerins. With no financial or sexual motive for the invasion, only ideological reasons exist for the Empire's aggression. They HATE and FEAR the Dekerin political and social order, which suggests that they might act on those irrational reactions to remove a perceived danger to themselves.

"I intend to use certain native sources to discover their goals and activities, that is the things that the Occupational Authority doesn't wish to tell me. They have, by the way, given me a 'bodyguard' whose real job may be to keep me in line," Kalitz told her.

"This is truly frightening for BOTH planets! None of us back in Al Kuwait had ANY notion of how bad things were for the Dekerin people. We had a lot of worries, but they took the form of scenarios and analysis of what might have happened to that world. Only one of these involved human connivance and that was thought more likely with the Eurasians than the Chinese.

"I can't promise to get you carte blanche on Dekeris, but I will work to persuade my superiors in the Federation cabinet that it is necessary to back the resistance in some fashion and to try to undermine the Sino-Akrosian pact. I like your ideas and will definitely listen to any intel that you might have, but I would rather not hear of my ambassadors directly co-operating with the resistance. If I DID hear of such things, it might put me in a difficult and embarrassing spot," Cemalek reacted to the briefing.

"I understand, Madame Deputy Minister. I am confident that you will succeed, once the cabinet realizes what is being threatened. The national security of the Federation itself is at risk here. I wouldn't care to see West Asia bowing the knee to Communist China. They already think that they are superior to us anyway. We will need some allies with real military muscle to deal with this peril. The Eurasians and Americans come to mind, not to mention the European Union, the Anglo-Canadian Empire, and the Pacific Community. Perhaps the Intelligence Bureau can send someone my way," Abel encouraged her.

"I think that a certain Major is already doing his part," Mira winked at him.

"Very good. I take it that he is more than a mere bodyguard. This time, you are ahead of me. Astute of the IB to place some HUMINT on the ground and wise of you to go along with it, Madame Deputy Minister. Very good cover as well. In the next thing to intel, which is the last place he would be expected. Blatancy is sometimes the best camouflage," the Ambassador grinned before the Deputy Minister terminated the link.

So, Major Imam Ali Mohammed al-Kareem is an IB operative. That explains his willingness to lie, which is not something that many devout Muslims would be comfortable doing, even in the present circumstances. I wonder if he's even a Yemeni prince. A high-profile man like that, being with the Intelligence Bureau; that's very shrewd of the Foreign Ministry. Then again, this could have come from the very top: the Prime Minister of the Federation himself. It's odd that he let me get the information out this time, but he probably didn't want to blow his cover until I had been informed by Deputy Minister Cemalek.

"Eupas, send Prima and Secunda back in here. I require some physical service," Kalitz ordered the Dekerin employee assigned to him by the now-defunct Council of Magnates.

"Certainly, sir," Eupas obeyed, calling in the two girls.

They were quite willing to satisfy him. Prima's mouth took his cock inside her with obvious pleasure, as she thoroughly serving this man. This alien treated her better than most of her fellow Dekerins. Only Secunda, among her own people, was as nice to her as this foreigner, this human. Of course, she was her twin sister, so that was expected of her. Prima gladly licked him to readiness, while Secunda played with herself.

After a few minutes, they swapped places, with the other twin tasting his manhood. She also thought about how kind this man from another planet had been to them. While he still controlled and used them, that was his proper due as their new master. At least he gave them names, if only so he could tell them apart. She didn't really know what her name or her sister's meant, but she was glad to have one anyway.

Prima then got an urge that she had not anticipated. She wanted to taste that lovely bottom facing her as Secunda sucked Abel's dick. She started to slip her tongue between her twin's cheeks, which was briefly distracting to Secunda, until she adjusted to the excitement. Prima rimmed her sister eagerly, knowing that it seemed to please the Ambassador and Secunda as well as herself.

Once he was hard enough, Kalitz gestured for Prima to sit on his cock and take him inside herself. He also pointed to his face, indicating that Secunda should plant her sweet pussy there. That was another thing about Dekerin females; they had quite aromatic and delicious sex organs. Of course, that was based on his limited experience with a pair of incredibly sensual peasant girls. It was no wonder that the Dekerin nobles kept whole harems of these women.

He moved his tongue on Secunda's clit, while Prima rode his manhood passionately. They both threatened to overload again, reminding him of the Dekerin female propensity toward faster orgasms. Prima's cunt tightened on his cock, making it close to impossible to restrain himself.

"I am going to cum, Master!" Secunda shouted as she gushed her juices onto his face, clearly demonstrating that she had learned the human slang for a climax.

Prima followed her sister's example, forcing Abel to have his own release. He shot his sperm into her pussy, once again giving her what she desired. They rested a few seconds, before the girls abruptly switched their positions.

"I guess my girls want me to have a second wind," the Ambassador teased them.

"Yes, Master," was all that Prima said in response, but her eyes indicated some mischievous delight in his dilemma between fatigue and arousal.

Right now, I feel 100% of my 44 years, Kalitz thought. I wonder what age they are in Earth time. Whatever it is, they certainly have the energy of teenage girls.

Secunda began to move up and down on his cock, enjoying the sensation of the human's length inside her. Prima, meanwhile, offered Abel a chance to lick her ass. He was delighted to seize it, as she realized when he ran his tongue along her butt-crack. Both women grunted and groaned as the Ambassador had his way with them.

While he lasted slightly longer with the girls this time, they came as quickly as the previous round. Being Dekerin women, there was no avoiding it. A much exhausted Abel Kalitz finally emptied his balls into them, wondering if it would lead to conception with Secunda, just as he had thought with Prima.

Finally sapped, the Ambassador and his concubines got up, so he could return to work after this break. He was determined to find out what the chances of a resistance movement would be, whether led by Lord Parlas or someone else. He was rather curious about what the erstwhile head of state felt about being driven underground, assuming that he was still alive.

"Eupas, come in here," Kalitz summoned his Dekerin member of the Embassy staff.

"Yes, Ambassador. What is it that you wish?" Eupas hurried inside, noting without interest the naked females. He was more interested in men, as a matter of fact.

"Eupas, I want you to find out what is happening to the former government and if there is any patriotic resistance group emerging. We badly need intelligence about this, for your people's sake as well as mine. Both of our civilizations are now in the same boat, to use an old Earth metaphor. It is urgent that we work together to fight the Akrosian Empire. There ARE some people from my own world collaborating with them, but we will oppose them as well," Abel told him.

"Yes, sir. We will do as you ask. I was hoping, although pessimistically, that you would do something to thwart this invasion. We have done nothing to the Akrosians, yet they have viciously attacked us! What do they want, to wipe us out?" Eupas answered.

"That would NOT surprise me. In any case, they are here and they shouldn't be. Instead of trying to normalize diplomatic relations, which might ease their fears, they launch a full-scale invasion of this world. Well, I believe that we can create some trouble for them, such as spying on them and getting in contact with units returning from the disputed colonies. We will also have to make peace with Macureus, if possible. The Vorindun will be easier, as they were neutral in your recent conflict.

"Both of them will naturally HAVE to wonder, on some level, if THEY are next. They have much different cultures from the Akrosians, just as you do. If YOUR social system can offend them so much, that they try to conquer you, what about the Vorindun's Great Principle? You have heard of that one, right? 'Laws against pleasure are crimes against the future.' Anything goes. They have complete sexual freedom, which the Akrosians probably scorn as 'sexual license'.

"Then there are the Macureans. They DO have a rule, as you know: reason over instincts, instincts over passions. Emotions are suspect and people are encouraged NOT to 'get in touch with their feelings', as 20th Century Earth therapists used to say. A philosophical and scientific elite rules supreme and permits any sort of purely PHYSICAL relationship, but outlaws romance. That kind of regime would no doubt be considered callous and superficial, not to mention elitist," Kalitz reminded him.

"We were their target because of our lack of inhibitions, as well as our patriarchal culture? Why would that bother them? Is it envy, a wish that they could have what we do? Are they just prudes who want to stamp out sex? I am a homosexual, so I wonder what they would do to me," the aide snorted.

"I personally suspect that many of them are undersexed, as a large number of repressed people are, of course. What copulation they have is often unsatisfying, as they don't have porn to demonstrate sex or toys to assist their stimulation. They don't even have much sex education, from what I have heard about them.

"Monogamy works for some people, but it's not for everyone and it DOES have pitfalls. One of them is the tendency of the partners to withhold sex as a means of forcing concessions out of each other. There is no motivation to improve, either, as there is no competition. It does to a relationship what socialism and monopolies do to the marketplace: discourage creativity and initiative.

"Whatever the case, my point is that the Akrosians show extreme intolerance for other cultures. It might also be a problem with sublimating sexual desire into blood lust. Any time you suppress a part of yourself, it seeks an outlet or vent for the frustration.

"It wouldn't surprise me if the hypocritically puritanical moral code of Nazi Germany affected the SS by motivating them to release their aggression through mass murder. It wasn't the only cause, or even the primary factor, but it added to their brutality. The same was probably true of Stalin's NKVD. The fundamental-ist Christian and Islamic movements of the late 20th and early 21st Centuries operated similarly. It didn't help that frequent abuse of violent computer and video games was condoned, but any sexual material was deemed too sensitive for adolescents of both sexes.

"I'm afraid that I digressed a bit into Earth history, but it DOES relate to my point. My study and experience have proven that sexually repressed people are often dangerous to themselves as well as others. The Salem witch trials didn't happen in a vacuum. These invaders have an Achilles heel: their own civilization is not as secure as it claims to be. The very act of occupation shows their paranoia about alien cultures. That is why they have avoided alliances as long as they could. They want to eradicate foreign civilizations before they are 'contaminated' by them.

"This will backfire, of course. Some enemy soldiers will be impressed by the no-nonsense approach to things like sex prevalent here. Others will actually fall for locals, despite the intentions and expectations of their superiors. Many military men will be impressed by the courage of a warrior race. Cultural imperialism can be self-defeating. A lot of French and English colonists in North America were similarly attracted to the values of the native tribes, not to mention the natives themselves. The biggest effect, however, will be the declining morale of an occupation force assaulted by guerillas and a population on the home world exhausted by the cost of the war.

"One way or another, this war will greatly harm the Empire. Just as society has no right to force an individual to conform and will suffer serious consequences if it tries, so one civilization has no right to assimilate another entire culture. Imperialistic expansion will ultimately fail, as people tend to fight back when someone tries to impose his or her system on them.

"In the meantime, we have to do what we can to help the resistance. I want you to actually join, since you are a Dekerin. You will be our liaison with them. No one will expect a privileged and comfortable aide to be involved in fighting the Akrosians. You will make it clear to them that you must follow my schedule, but you will be perfectly free to do their little missions on your spare time.

"You will tell none of this to Major al-Kareem or any other human on this world. My country needs 'plausible deniability' for now. That's a human expression meaning that we will be believed if we claim complete innocence. The right hand should not know what the left hand has done. As long as Deputy Foreign Minister Mira Cemalek can say to the Chinese that she has no involvement in this, she will be fine with knowing that I probably did. She will wink at it, as will the whole Federation government. Now, let's get to work. As soon as you get this message to the Vorindun Consulate, you can look for youths to bed," Abel instructed him.

Eupas grinned at that idea, as he left to smuggle that information to the Vorindun. Harming the Occupational Authority and finding some young men interested in a little pleasure would make for a VERY fulfilling day.



Ambassador's Life Ch. 04



"Master, Eupas has returned," Prima informed the Ambassador, who had just finished shaving himself.

"Let him in," Kalitz instructed her.

Eupas entered his boss's office, apparently satisfied from a few encounters with youths. He also looked pleased for another reason. Abel instantly sensed that the meeting with the Vorindun Consul must have gone well. How well was the question whose answer he would know soon.

"Ambassador, the Consul agreed to recommend an alliance to his superiors. The Vorindun Senate will consider the Akrosian threat to the entire solar system. It's strange how much power that world gives to a body elected by common people. They even call them THE PEOPLE, as if to give commoners a group title. All of their top officials are directly elected, such as their Head of State, Supreme Executive Council, Executive Boards and Commissions, Treasurer, People's Advocates, and High Courts. They even have a People's Assembly. No other world in this system gives as much authority and influence to regular people and magistrates chosen by them. They are so... ," Eupas rambled.

"DEMOCRATIC? Well, the Vorindun Republic has ancient laws that demand respect for the sovereignty of the people. They are similar to many Earth nations in the past and several in the present, particularly ancient Rome, Carthage, and Greece. They are not as advanced as the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Australasia, perhaps, but they are light-years ahead of Red China or the Akrosian Empire.

"Sure, they have so-called 'patricians' and 'plebeians', but the distinction is social and carries no legal weight after centuries of intermarriage between the Orders. The only major difference is that they still practice debt-bondage and indentured servitude. Slavery was abolished when they realized that it created a potential 'fifth column' in interplanetary wars. Of course, being pragmatists, they emancipated their slaves gradually. They also compensated slaveholders. They replaced their appointed Senate with an elected one in stages too.

"The Vorindun Revolution was more inclusive than some revolutions in Earth history, especially that of ancient Rome. The King and titled nobility were overthrown by about half of the lesser aristocracy, including children born out of wedlock. It was nicknamed 'The Bastard Rebellion' for that reason. These second and bastard sons wanted the abolition of primogeniture and entail. They overthrew the monarchy to achieve it when the King refused to set such a 'dangerous' precedent. Since they faced a strong counterrevolutionary faction in the deposed King and lords of the realm, they appealed to the mercantile and peasant classes for support. They promised them voting rights and other concessions.

"Since that time, the confiscation of royal lands and the termination of the practice of entail have caused the line between the upper and lower classes to blur. As families split the inheritances and women began to receive property rights, the effect was the opposite of what happened in ancient Rome. Smallholders increased in number and large estates became passé. Actual titles were abolished as part of the compromise with the plebeians. There is no longer any real difference between patrician and plebeian.

"The end of discrimination against bastards and the official elimination of the use of the term 'illegitimate' to refer to them moved society in the direction of a permissive attitude toward sexuality. The Vorindun were never more than slightly prudish since the formation of the Kingdom; the Republic removed the last traces of sexual priggishness.

"Its evolution in that sense was boosted by the number of women with independent incomes from farms and professions. Not having to rely on men for financial security has caused them to welcome the push toward complete sexual freedom. The government program to eradicate STDs intensified that trend. With no fear of disease or pregnancy, the Vorindun inevitably became the most sexually liberated culture that I have ever known.

"Eventually, they repealed the laws that forbade women to hold public office, since they had a hard time keeping female smallholders and businesswomen from seeking political influence anyway. They figured that it was best to hold such powerful characters accountable to the electorate. Now they have a society that would make many liberals on Earth green with envy, aside from the debt-bondage and indentured servitude, of course," Ambassador Kalitz explained, falling back into his old pattern of lecturing people. At times, he suspected that he should have TAUGHT interstellar law instead of practicing it.

"That is a VERY different culture and history than ours, Ambassador. We have a lot of bastards here who would love to revolt and seize their fair share of their fathers' estates, but 'no such luck', as you Terrans say. In some matters, we have a more sensible society than some of your Earth nations, from what I have read. However, when it comes to legal rights and social justice, we have a lot of problems. I would love to see my world move forward. Maybe the fight against the Akrosians and their damned Occupation will be enough to achieve that. Something tells me that our civilization will be very different after the war than before it, whether for the best or the worst.

"What I find disturbing about your culture, if you'll pardon my saying so, is that your progress on certain issues has not increased your freedom. Your own nation has several member-states that still frown on my lifestyle, for instance. Why is homosexuality condemned by so many people on your planet? Is that due to a religion or something? If so, which religion?" Eupas stated.

"It is mainly two and a half religions that condemn what they call 'sodomy'. By '2 and half' I mean Christianity and Islam, plus the Orthodox branch of my own faith: Judaism. I'm more secular and was brought up Reform, however. That is the more liberal branch of a religion which is based on an ancient civilization that was destroyed by more powerful ones. The survivors dispersed to other continents for centuries and were culturally affected by other peoples. They were also persecuted for their beliefs and murdered en masse.

"The rule against homosexuality was part of the old legal and moral code of my people and was inherited by the offshoots called Christianity and Islam. The latter of those two is technically the majority faith in the Federation. Fortunately, much of West Asia is adopting a more open-minded view of sex. Only the fanatics really push for the imposition of Sharia, that is Islamic, law. The Second Iranian Revolution in 2015 greatly weakened the militant factions.

"Eventually, all of the corrupt and incompetent regimes ruled by Islamic clergy were toppled by a combination of elections and armed uprisings. There was even a military coup that ousted the Saudi King and installed a benevolent dictatorship, which instituted drastic reforms and clamped down on the extreme Wahabi sect. Leaders like that started to wink at things like homosexuality, not enforcing laws that were directed at gays and lesbians. When the Federation was formed, anti-sodomy laws were revoked by legislatures and courts as unenforceable and unconstitutional under the new charter of civil rights.

"Ultimately, social mores were relaxed and only a minority of people still adhere to a strict version of any sect. The Major is somewhat more conservative, but many of his subordinates are not. We have a couple of Maronite Christians from Lebanon too. They are part of the Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian sect on Earth.

"We also have another Jew on the staff, but she is more devout than myself. Anyone much more conservative than her would not have gone on this mission, as they spend their time studying Torah and Talmud instead of pursuing secular careers. Practically all of my security troops are Yemeni Arabs, all but one of whom are Muslims. The sole exception among the Yemenis is Corporal Karl Marx Hakim, an atheistic Marxist.

"Anyway, despite the official teachings of the various religions, there are plenty who do not condemn your lifestyle. I suspect you overheard some negative comments, that is all. Perhaps you heard some from the only non-Yemeni on the security team: Private Omar Sayeed from Jordan. He's from an old Bedouin family and they tend to be stricter," Abel clarified.

"That explains a few things, but what is a Marxist?" the aide asked.

"A Marxist is a person who believes in the political theories of Karl Marx, a German expatriate sociologist, who taught that the lowest class must overthrow all of the higher classes and seize control of the means of production. He wanted to abolish private property. He also denounced religion as a tool of the higher classes to distract the lower classes from their misery by focusing on a non-existent afterlife.

"His chief supporter in this cause was Friedrich Engels, another German. Marx and Engels wrote Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto in 1848. Marxism was popular in the 20th Century, but became insignificant after the fall of Communism," Kalitz told him.

"That sounds like a rather extreme way to better oneself. That could only work if all of the higher classes were exterminated. Otherwise, there would be enough of them to resist the new system. They would do that, too, since they were being excluded from any share of wealth. I wouldn't mind a violent revolution, if it didn't mean the annihilation of half of the people. I just want more of a future. I am NOT from the very bottom level of our society. I'm a simple clerk and my father was a clerk. In fact, most of my ancestors were clerks. I would be eliminated myself in such a scheme. A more just society is all that I seek for my world," Eupas reacted.

"That's very understandable. In the meantime, we have to get those damned Akrosians off your world. Contacting the Macureans will be the next step, although a tad difficult. I still haven't heard anything about whether any of the Magnates survived the attack. As bad as they were, they might be necessary in some conservative circles to organizing resistance. Of course, they won't be able to lead it alone.

"I think that we can expect something like the situation in Nazi-occupied Europe during the Second World War. Right-wing and leftist groups will cooperate to a limited extent, but also compete with each other for the allegiance of the people. There is no guarantee of what kind of world might emerge from the destruction of the old regime. There is also some question as to WHEN the invaders will be expelled. However, that WILL happen, sooner or later. It is inevitable that the conquerors will be driven off your planet. No military conquest is permanent.

"Have you heard any news, by the way? I don't care if it is a rumor, broadcast, or something that you witnessed in person. The only privacy that I get is in my office here. Everywhere else, that damned lieutenant and his men escort me and keep ignorant of my surroundings. I haven't even seen all of the damage to the capital," the Ambassador inquired.

"From what I have heard, 4 Magnates are missing. 3 of them were captured alive. The rest are dead, including Lord Parlas. This was something that I learned from one of the youths, a peasant who had just gotten off work from cleaning up the rubble. The principal government buildings are largely intact, but the Akrosians have arrested most of the peers.

"About a dozen of the vermin swore fealty to the Empress and agreed to 'advise' the Occupational Authority. Evidently, they are going to become Akrosian puppets, in the dubious hope of ruling this world when the Empire restores our independence. They are collaborators, betraying the people. When we get our planet back, they will be punished!" the assistant announced.

"Spoken like a true freedom fighter. I guess I should have asked about that earlier, but I got sidetracked with the history of Vorindun and human religious beliefs. Then again, so did you. A rather strange pair of geeks, aren't we, talking politics and religion while the world ends?

"In any case, the death of Lord Parlas and the arrest of much of the aristocracy means that the former government no longer exists at all. I suspected as much. Whatever regime the collaborators establish will be a sham, not really benefiting the people, either. You're no longer a subject of the Dekerin Domains, because are no such 'domains'. You are still on the payroll of the Federation of West Asia, however, and I expect loyalty to me as the Ambassador.

"Naturally, I will also help you and your friends organize a progressive resistance movement, since we should at least TRY to improve the lot of your people after the war. A good place to start your guerilla force will be with your fellow homosexuals, but you should also recruit their friends and relatives as well your own. Tell them that they have the unofficial backing of the West Asian Ambassador. That is ALL that you should say about me for now.

"I also think that you should begin setting up a political wing of your faction. You need some basis on which to rival the Magnates, such as promising a more enlightened future for your world. That is something that would be believed more easily from you, given your social background. In order to do that, however, you need to set up a 'shadow government' of sorts. That way, you can possibly be ready to create a different government for your civilization after the Akrosians have been defeated. You will also embarrass the Red Chinese, who would have to explain why they are helping a monarchy suppress a populist front. You need some kind of decentralized command structure, with cells that operate independently and can strike ruthlessly without warning.

"You also require a name for your heroic liberation movement. Call it something that will appeal to the masses. You know the Dekerin people more than myself. Don't just borrow titles from similar groups in Earth history. Pick a name with a Dekerin flavor to it. Just because you want to change their customs doesn't mean that you shouldn't USE those traditions to your advantage. I guarantee you that the Magnates will not hesitate to do that themselves. With the right name, manifesto, organization, dedication, and courage, you can defeat these invaders and be in a stronger position than the more conservative elements," Kalitz declared.

"What about Prima and Secunda? Shouldn't they be inducted into my underground?" Eupas probed.

"Certainly. They have a stake in the future and should not revert to being peasants. They cannot be maidservants in the old sense forever. Their present status is little better than serfdom or slavery. The 12 peers will probably make only slight changes to the social order, mainly ones to accommodate the Occupational Authority. I'll let you recruit Prima and Secunda to spy on the lieutenant and other Akrosians here at the Embassy," Abel agreed.

"Thank you, sir. As a matter of fact, the peers HAVE announced their program: the abolition of the Council of Magnates and all distinctions between Magnate and peer, the execution of all who fail to swear fealty to the Empress, the confiscation of all estates belonging to dead or captured Magnates and peers for division among the remaining nobles, the execution of all Dekerins who seduce or attempt to seduce Akrosians, the confiscation of all estates and assets of people who resist the Occupation or aid said resistance for division among the peers, and the creation of a new Dekerin government subordinate to the Occupational Authority and consisting entirely of nobles.

"As you can see, these proposals benefit none but the peers and Akrosians themselves. It concentrates wealth further in the hands of the peers and doesn't improve the lot of second sons, daughters, or bastard children. They are behaving in a manner contrary to the warrior ethos of this world, by simply submitting to the new regime. They have dispossessed people still alive and haven't really even done the Akrosian soldiers a favor in the sexual sense. The populace will be too frightened to sleep with them. I guess that was a concession to the prudish ways of the Empire. It will hurt their morale in the long run, however. That will be worsened by the fact that Akrosians frown upon masturbation as a waste of DNA. We will take full advantage of this by getting our operatives to wear only as many clothes as necessary.

"I think that 'The Forces of the Warrior People' will work for us. The 'People' part will be the first clue that we are not trying to restore the old system. The name of our political front will be 'The Dekerin Society for Justice'.

"We will advocate the following: the execution of all collaborators and other traitors, the confiscation of the property of all collaborators and other traitors, the redistribution of all confiscated assets and estates to the middle and lower classes, no seizure of any estates belonging to patriotic nobles, the abolition of all titles of nobility and legal distinctions between the classes, revocation of laws depriving second sons and bastards of inheritances, a tax on all inherited estates, property rights for women, revocation of laws forbidding certain people to marry, revocation of laws that forbid parents to name their daughters, and compensation to be paid to all victims of the Occupation.

"Politically, we will promise: the dissolution of the puppet government, a charter of civil rights, a basic law for the organization of future government, a reformed penal code, election of the chief magistrates and a unicameral assembly by universal adult suffrage, lowering the age of majority to 16, mandatory militia service for all citizens at the age of majority, compulsory public education for all citizens from ages to 4 to 16, free college and trade school education for all who wish it, an independent judiciary, local administration by metropolitan areas with elected councils and commissions, standard weights and measures, a new currency and credit system, a central bank, independent trade unions, and a professional army and space fleet.

"Socially, we will offer: a reforestation program to improve soil fertility and undo erosion, public ownership of all forests, regulation of logging through an appointed board, universal basic health care through the State, abolition of internal tariffs and duties, an income tax, excise taxes on certain products, the right of all citizens over 16 to marry and divorce any other citizens above 16, the right of all citizens above 16 to take or become concubines, protective tariffs on Akrosian exports, old-age pensions, disability subsidies, competitive bidding for public contracts to operate mines in the wastelands of the southern continent with AI mines, and the repeal of any laws against intermarriage or mating with extraterrestrials.

"We will make it clear that we seek progress as well as liberation. We will also attempt to deal with any fears of the peasants and artisans that they will not have their lords and guilds to provide for their social welfare. That is why we MUST have a social safety net for the poor. Otherwise, without the nobles, they might not have the means to survive on their own. That is hardly an incentive to favor our side. This must be both a political and a social revolution to win the support of the masses.

"We must also not seem to impose a new religion on the people; they love the old ways of worshipping their ancestors and spirits of Nature. In fact, that can be used to our advantage, in emphasizing the difference with the Akrosians and their efforts to establish this 'cult of the Equals' and building enthusiasm for our conservation measures. I entered government service in the hope of making many of these changes somehow. I just didn't realize that I would do it as an underground resistance leader," Eupas commented.




Ambassador's Life Ch. 04



"Well, the circumstances are tragic and there will be responsibilities, but I suspect that you will become the new leader of Dekeris at some point in the future. Nevertheless, you'll have to fight hard for the honor. The Akrosians, their puppet peers, and the surviving Magnates will all have a stake in opposing you. Don't become complacent at any point in the struggle. Remember, people will look to you for leadership, so you must take the initiative and be an example of your ideal Dekerin warrior," Kalitz pointed out.

"Thanks for the advice. I will heed it, sir," Eupas agreed.

"You're welcome, Eupas. Now, let's get to work," the Ambassador told him.



Ambassador's Life Ch. 05



The whole business of actually running the Dekerin resistance was naturally best left to the Dekerins themselves, especially Eupas on his off-duty hours. That the Akrosian security detail didn't realize what happened under their noses more than amused Ambassador Kalitz. 

What also made him secretly laugh was Lieutenant Aldenar's body language, which gave the lie to his claim that he didn't mind "a season of celibacy". He secretly ogled Prima and Secunda, but only when he thought that no one noticed. This furtive conduct was clearly an ingrained practice, imposed by a lifetime spent under the rule of a cruel and close-minded despotism. 

Kalitz strongly suspected that Aldenar had deep personal grievances against his own government, but had chosen to bury his resentments under the surface. After all, dissent was very strongly discouraged by the Empire. "Non-conformist agitation" carried a very stiff sentence: five years of hard labor for the first offense, and ten years for the second time. An officer caught criticizing his own government, especially in the presence of foreigners, would be cashiered and sent to the stockade for an even longer term for "inciting mutiny and subverting morale". 

Abel also doubted that Aldenar, in particular, refrained at all times from self-manipulation. He was sure that there were plenty of folk going against the masturbation taboo. He was also quite confident that whatever they did, the Akrosian occupation forces would be quite demoralized and frustrated by this prolonged stay in Dekeris. It was clear that the Empire didn't care much about the welfare of its troops, sexual or otherwise. 

"Some government they have, eh, boss? And this is the kind of regime that they want to impose on us? By all of the Spirits, I will use their stupidity to destroy them!" Eupas ranted, though in an excited whisper, when Abel commented on this issue. 

"Yes, well, give it time. Remember, your world's space forces are on the way back to the home planet. Odds are that they won't be doing so alone. The Macureans will pursue them, just to make sure that they don't try to recapture any once-disputed territory. That will make it easier to entice them into an alliance against the reckless adventurists now in charge back on Akros. 

"Whatever the case, the fact is that the space fleet will not take too kindly to being recalled, especially since they almost certainly know why. I fear, however, that they will be a bit too daring in their assaults on the Akrosians. I doubt that they will retreat an inch, let alone surrender. I just hope that they aren't wiped out before the Macureans and the Vorindun can relieve them," Kalitz reassured his aide. 

"My people aren't known for yielding anything, that is clear. We are proud and warlike. I share your worries, however. If the fleet is wiped out, our chance of driving the wretched invaders out is much reduced, I fear. I would like something of a military to survive to defend us after we have been liberated. Besides, it can make things tough for reinforcements of the enemy occupation forces," Eupas agreed with some anxiety, already feeling some responsibility as the leader of a new faction of the Dekerin resistance. 

They continued their conspiracy, amid the official work, while Lieutenant Aldenar and his comrades "protected" them for several more weeks. The Akrosian officer learned to respect the Ambassador and his staff, not to mention the mostly Yemeni bodyguard, during this time, not realizing that the increasingly annoying resistance movement had begun to essentially take its cues from Eupas and his boss. He also found himself rather attracted to the native females, even as he knew that he couldn't safely pursue this interest. 

This first Akrosian experiment in military aggression and occupation already had a demoralizing impact on the troops. Evidently, the Imperial regime hadn't considered all of the implications of its decision to wage a protracted war of attrition against the indigenous population. Not only did the aloofness necessity imposed on the Imperial garrisons keep the locals from seeing them as people, but a considerable number of troops were lost on the "place of suffering" continent. 

The biggest mistake from the Akrosian perspective was trusting the twelve turncoat peers who had collaborated with them. These made no attempt to win over the peasantry. They simply used the chance to act on their own grievances in the struggle with the Magnates. With the top tier of the nobility gone, however, there was only a thin layer of the lower aristocracy exercising all power in Dekerin society, aside from their Akrosian overlords. 

In propaganda terms, it was the worst possible situation for the occupation and its small number of fervent Dekerin adherents. The ordinary people had no incentive to back the foreigners who treated them like shit to be scraped off their boots. In fact, they resented this arrogance from the xenophobic tyrants bullying them into submission. 

As for the various remaining peers, they were still captives of the Akrosians, having been held until they "saw reason" and complied. Since they refused to accept the Imperial dictates, these nobles would never be released while the Akrosians ruled. By default and a fluke of chance, the only resistance left was composed of groups of commoners such as those led by Eupas, and the fleet-in-exile, of course. 

With a mix of inspiration from the example of his boss, not to mention his own charisma and a nucleus of disciples from those of his own persuasion, it wasn't difficult for Eupas to emerge as the head of the top underground organization on Dekeris. It was hard work, especially added to his proper duties as the Ambassador's aide, but he found it to be his consuming passion. His home planet had to be freed from the enemy's rule. 

The Akrosians relied more each day on the expertise of the Chinese advisers, but they didn't have any real effect against the insurgency. The Governor/General and Admiral Dopar never even considered that the real mastermind of the Dekerin resistance was a simple bureaucrat on loan from the former oligarchic regime to the embassy of the Federation of West Asia. 

Meanwhile, the Dekerin fleet harassed the Imperial space forces without any relief, now with the tacit support of the Macureans. The price was that they had to accept that the disputed territories were now part of the Macurean system. 

Things were ready to come to a major climax, and the Ambassador and his aide were determined to make sure that they did.