SOLAR LEADERS ARRIVE FOR CONFERENCE TRANS-SOLAR NEWS SERVICE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FLASH: SYSTEM-WIDE Filed at Solar Conference Site
The Leaders of the United Inner Planetary System(UIPS) and the Independent Nations of the OuterRegion (INOR) are at the place they selected toresolve urgent Solar System problems of mutualconcern. Here's how the arrangements worked out.
Consistent with the schedule, the INOR guestsflashed their international identification and shipnumbers to the Conference Control Center toreport that they had formally arrived in responseto President Camari's invitation.
Concurrently, at a signal from the UIPS President'sship Eagle, the station flashed an array ofmulticolored beacons. Docking berths along theConference Site's rim opened and controllerstransmitted "Ready" signals to the visitingflagships. Tugs, utilities, and emergency crafttook their stations.
The UIPS Eagle nosed forward and matched itsheadings and moments to the Disk. Mass attractorstook over, fine-tuned the alignment and drift, andgently drew the Eagle a third its length into thedock. Mooring beams grasped the vessel and it wastransfixed. A red and white candy-striped umbilicalsnaked out from the dock and sealed against theEagle's main portal.
Eagle, the host, had docked.
Turning to the guests, the "Ready" signals flashedagain. Taking the lead, Planet Pluto's Revengematched up and was drawn into its docking space.The others followed. The disk was transformedinto a multi-spoke wheel spinning slowly againstthe backdrop of sun, planets, satellites, spacecolonies and stars.
The umbilicals' seals tested and secure, the Headsof State disembarked, each followed by an entourageof advisors, diplomats, strategists, economists,interplanetary law specialists, sociologists,philosophers, and others expert in the disciplinesappropriate to the agenda.
The parties walked along separate corridors fromtheir docking berth to an arched entry into theconference theater at the hub. The pseudo-gravityplates had been eased to a comfortable levelfor the inhabitants of the Outer Region. Therepresentatives of Earth wore soft enhancerboots to compensate.
The central hall was huge, and the round table atits center wide enough to accommodate them all.Massive chairs were at the table, and behind each arow of smaller chairs to accommodate the lessors.A holoview tank, suspended halfway to the overhead,glowed softly. The walls were festooned with theemblems and insignia of all Nations in attendance.
Arriving under the arch, the Leaders paused.President Camari stepped away from his chair,his open arms an invitation to all to enter andjoin him at the table.
Entering and approaching the table, the Leadersturned to right and left to greet each other.Formality aside for the moment, they expressedtheir pleasure at seeing one another again, or inmeeting for the first time. They came togetherat the table and formed small groups.
Camari and Narval took each other's measure as theyworked their way forward. Camari, as host, pausedat each knot or singular meeting to shake handsand express his pleasure to each Head of Statefor accepting his invitation. Politicians all, supremediplomats of the Solar Community, they accommodatedto the occasion and replied in kind.
Camari and Narval came face to face. Silencegripped the room.
"Greetings, President Narval," Camari said, "yourpresence at this conference will contribute muchto its success."
"Greeting to you, President Camari. I feel certainthat it will."
"I remind you, President Narval, these are indeeddesperate times. Extraordinary measures areessential if we are to preserve our civilizations,perhaps our species. Separately or collectively,we must be prepared to take risks for our survival.Do you agree?"
"Not only do I agree, Mr. President, but I shallremind you of your words as we proceed throughthese deliberations."
"So be it."
Camari nodded and turned away. With everyone'seyes on him, he strode to his place at the table,spread his arms again wide in welcome, and sat.
Greetings over, the Solar System's leaders tooktheir places at the great table. Their advisorsentered and took seats behind them.
The first convocation for the survival of theentire Solar Community was under way.