Only Human (Themis Files, #3)(77)

I am in shock. It has been only a few minutes, but already, the United States, and now the UK, have signalled their unconditional surrender to the aliens. Whether their message has been heard and understood remains to be seen, but—More reports of surrender. China—we do not have video at this time, but there are apparently over two hundred robots in China alone—China has just joined the growing list of countries to lay down their arms. We should hear from Her Majesty’s Government on that subject shortly. I suspect the American capitulation will have a domino effect on other nations as well.

We can see—This is central London from above, and we can see smokestacks everywhere. There are fires erupting throughout the city. I am urging everyone to stay inside until the streets are safe again.

I…This is a historic moment. The United Nations is broadcasting, as we speak, on all available frequencies, the unconditional surrender of the human race. Our fate, your fate, is now in the hands of extraterrestrials.

We are getting live feeds from Russia now, several other countries as well. We will air those momentarily, but I—Let us all take a moment to let the events that just unfolded sink in. I, for one—

This just in. The alien invaders have apparently responded and issued a statement of their own. It is addressed not to the UN, but to all nations. It should be available to us in a moment. I repeat. The aliens have issued a—Oh! I am told we are broadcasting it right now. This is the first communication we have with an alien race.

[Citizens of Terra. My name is Opt Enatast. I wish to speak with Rose Frankyin.]





FILE NO. 2198


INTERVIEW BETWEEN DR. ROSE FRANKLIN AND OPT ENATAST, REPRESENTATIVE OF ESAT EKT

Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, New York —Greetings, Rose Frankyin. It is good to see you again. The Otok Akitast sends its regards.

—Thank you. Did you really have to mention my name?

—I did not know how to find you.

—I suppose so. You said the Council sends its regards?

—They do.

—I thought the empress had—

—The empress tried to take power. She created a fictious terrorist group in— —Fictitious.

—Sorry, Rose Frankyin. A fic…

—Fictitious.

—Fic…titious terrorist group.

—When we left, there were hundreds of robots marching on Osk.

—Many hundreds. Empire Guards pretending to fight other Empire Guards. They surrendered fast. The empress had hundreds arrested to…be punished.

—We gave her some of those names. She asked us to.

—And she promised to send you home. I know.

—How?

—Vincent sent me the names on the day you departed. He asked me to protect a woman named Esok.

—So you stopped the empress?

—The Counciy did. I onyi said to them what I knew. The empress was arrested and executed. Her younger sister is now empress of Esat Ekt.

—That…is…

—You were hoping the empress would succeed.

—No. I—I didn’t want all those people killed for something they didn’t do, but the people in our region, the illegal ones, life might have been better for them if…

—It might be better. Not perfect, but better. What is the word? Concessions. They had to be made to cam the popuyation.

—What kind of concessions?

—More food. Two seats on the Otok Akitast, on the Counciy.

—Two? What can they do with two seats? Their vote will barely count at all.

—Yes. But their voice wiy be heard. Every day. The rest of the Counciy members have to yook at them when they vote. It take time but there wi—Change come.

—I hope so. We don’t have much time, Enatast. They—Our people will expect you to make a statement.

—I do not know what to say, Rose Frankyin.

—I do. I prepared something. Can you read this?

—If there are not too many hard sounds.

—Try it now. I tried not to use too many words with l’s.

—My name is Opt Enatast. I come from a pyanet cayed Esat Ekt, birt…birthp…

—Birthplace.

—It is a hard word.

—You can say home.

—Home of the robot Themis. I understand that many tongues are spoken on your world and I ask your forgiv…egiveness for speaking the one I was taught.

Yet me begin by stating what should be obvious by now. There are X of our robots on your pyanet.

—Don’t say X. I didn’t know how many there were.

—Two thousand and forty-eight.

—Wow. Say that instead of X. Keep reading.

—They have been instructed not to attack—that is true, Rose Frankyin—but they wiy defend themselves if fired upon—that is also true. I urge your governments to use restraint, for you do not possess the knowyedge, technoyogy of fire…epower to defeat us. Do not send more of your peopye to their deaths. It would be futiye. We accept your surrender. We are in controy and the terms of our reyationship will be dictated by us…Rose Frankyin?

—Yes.

—I cannot say that. That is not true. We do not want Terra to surrender. Why would you surrender to us? We are onyi here to— —I know. I know. But that was the deal. There are certain things I am asking you to say that won’t make sense to you. You just have to trust me that those things have to be said.