Free Universal Language by Robert T. Jeschonek Page B

our species or any other. "
    "Agreed," said al-Aziz, "but isn't that what will happen if you eradicate the Vox? Isn't the genocide of billions of beings a greater crime than what they've done?"
    After a long moment, new symbols appeared on the Mazeesh's wings. " They must be punished. "
    "Why not benefit from that punishment," said al-Aziz, "instead of putting the deaths of billions of sentient beings on your conscience?"
    The symbols on the Mazeesh's wings shifted. " What do you have in mind? "
    al-Aziz turned to Jalila, raising his eyebrows. "Any ideas, Corporal?"
    Jalila's heart pounded. Her mind raced.
    Days ago, she'd been on the verge of being drummed out of the service. She'd been disgraced after making a critical mistake that had led to the death of a diplomat and the failure of a peace treaty. She'd never dared imagine she'd be given a chance to redeem herself.
    Yet here it was.
    Jalila had survived many travails on the planet Vox, and that was one thing...but having Major al-Aziz turn to her for answers was another. Having him turn to her for a key idea in the midst of a crisis was extraordinary. It wasn't something he routinely did with disgraced officers on the verge of being drummed out of the service.
    It meant, plain and simple, that he was giving Jalila another chance. If she could come up with a dazzling solution, perhaps it would mitigate her disgrace. Perhaps she could yet retire with honor.
    If only she could rise to the occasion.
    Jalila wracked her brain, considering the possibilities. She felt the planet turning around her with all its billions of people depending on her answer.
    How could the Vox be punished in a way that would benefit the Mazeesh? Better yet, that would benefit both species? Jalila looked from the Vox to the Mazeesh, struggling to come up with an answer. She looked at the Mazeesh language projected on the wall.
    And that was when it hit her.
    Perhaps the Vox, like Jalila, could redeem themselves with language.
    Energized with inspiration, Jalila went to Farouk and reached for his Mazeesh-attuned Voicebox. He handed it over with a skeptical look on his stony features.
    With a few tweaks, Jalila wirelessly linked Farouk's Voicebox to her own. Thanks to the link, she could type on one Voicebox and covert her words to Vox spoken language and projected Mazeesh text simultaneously.
    When the setup was done, Jalila pushed her glossy black hair behind her ears and started typing, addressing the Vox and Mazeesh. "I propose that the Vox work off their debt," she said.
    " How gracious of you ," snarled Ieria.
    Symbols flowed onto the Mazeesh's wings and became words on the Voicebox's display. " What kind of work? "
    "The Mazeesh have no spoken language," said Jalila. "This can be a disadvantage in trade and exploration."
    " You dare call us disadvantaged? " said the Mazeesh.
    "Not at all," said Jalila. "However, speech is the primary means of communication for most species we have encountered. Lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings, which can lead to conflict.
    "Perhaps you can limit these undesirable outcomes," said Jalila, "by employing translators on your ships...say, the members of a multilingual, speech-focused species."
    The Mazeesh's wings rippled, displaying an array of new symbols. " You suggest we carry murderers on our ships, and let them speak for us? "
    "I think you'll be surprised at how many qualified, good-hearted people you'll find on this world," said Jalila. "Think of the Lexicons, who not only preserved the secrets their ancestors tried to expunge, but bravely helped bring them to light."
    A long moment passed before new text appeared on the wings of the Mazeesh. " They have no experience with written language . They will not be able to read our words and translate them into speech. "
    "The Vox are able to carry on three separate conversations in three different languages at once," said Jalila. "I think they'll learn."
    There was another pause before the next