Free Worth Fighting For (Little Blue Book 1) by Tigertalez Page A

just how serious we are about protecting the humans. I’m going to order over half of our military escort to break off and head directly to Earth. They can move much faster than our diplomatic vessel. They should be there before the end of the day. Do everything you can to keep the humans safe until they arrive. How are the humans? Did they take any damage?”
    Tasid looked over at his second, who was busy looking over information on his screen. It was no surprise that Errim answered the question without prompting, or looking up.
    “The information isn’t complete, as there is debris still falling into the planet’s atmosphere. So far what has fallen looks to be on a trajectory towards their oceans, which should make casualties minimal. I’ve sent crews to try to salvage what we can to keep any more from further endangering the humans.”
    “Good. Have you talked with their governments yet?” Jurresh asked.
    Tasid shook his head. “Burren is communicating with them as we speak. How did the information get leaked?”
    “I was going to tell you about it later this morning. It happened shortly after you informed me of their compatibility. I had reported to UPALE about the discovery. I asked for, and was granted, permission to contact representatives in the CROWN and Torch alliances, to start a treaty, but the information had leaked as we were convening. I had to convince them that we were planning to share the information but that the leak had preceded our deliberations.” Jurresh’s voice grew angry. “The leak nearly caused us another war. I’ve been trying to find the one or ones responsible, but it could just as easily have been from any of the staff of the other ambassadors as from mine.”
    Tasid rubbed his face and sighed. “All right, I need to finish cleaning this mess up here. Hopefully I’ll see you when you arrive tomorrow.”
    “Hold on, Tasid. Like I said, I was going to contact you this morning. There is something else I needed to tell you.” Tasid looked expectantly at his father, and listened to him continue. “UPALE, the CROWN, and the Torch recognize your role in not only finding these people, but also the trust you have already established with the humans. You have never had a problem speaking your mind, even to me, and the CROWN and Torch appreciate you for standing up for their rights to the humans. With the humans being kept neutral, they will need someone to guide them in making the choices that will be best for them, until they better understand the diplomacies and politics of our galaxy, so all three alliances have voted that you will be Earth’s advocate.”
    The entire bridge went still. Tasid blinked as he attempted to comprehend what his father had just told him. What will this mean for my future?
    “I do not think I fully understand what that means. Am I being removed as captain of this ship? For how long? Where will I be living?”
    “Your ship will be a consulate, and you will remain stationed in their orbit. A requisition to give you your own personal ship is being processed. Also, your crew will be given the option to either stay on with you, or stay in service to UPALE and get reassigned.”
    “Wait, advocate? Is that like an ambassador?”
    Jurresh smiled with pride. It unsettled Tasid to see it directed at him as he didn’t often see a smile on his father’s face, unless it was directed at his mother.
    “More like an emissary. An ambassador has the power to rule and govern the people that they represent. An emissary represents their people in a foreign place. But an advocate is someone who represents someone that is not their kind. You will be representing Earth, and will be in charge with certain delegations in their solar system, but you will not be ruling the people as a whole. You will have influence in their culture, but not direct ruling.
    “Once our diplomatic fleet arrives, we will hold a kind of coronation so you and your position will be recognized