The Voting Species Read Online Free Page A

inevitable shift in the arguments
since aliens had landed on Earth and shown themselves to be
intelligent. Now it was not only about their rights but also about
how useful they could be to humanity. The debate would be in
public.
     
    The Galaxy
was back in the grip of the media where every spare piece of
telecoms equipment attempted to gobble up every political morsel.
While only three Federation planets had alleged intelligent aliens
on them, a few less fussy aliens had integrated with their human
neighbours and even enjoyed the so called civilized
life ; Denton had even met one of them who
was about to graduate. Most of the other eleven planets could
afford to sit back and righteously proclaim the equality of the
species; having no aliens with which to have problems with. Others
were still a little nervous of what lurked in their jungles, as the
level of integration from this direction would be incalculable and
unstoppable. It was possible that even in the twenty fifth century
detection techniques could be thwarted by aliens who didn‘t want to
be found, let alone integrated. But thanks to the gods, humans
followed an evolutionary path that gave many of them the gene
expression that fired reason and empathy.
     
    At long
last, one, who many had regarded as an
enemy of the people, was now virtually dragged before the
multitudes to give The Origins Society’s view of the unfolding
excitement. The young woman who Denton had already met shook her
long black hair back over her shoulders. Her face, although tinged
with bitterness, was largely triumphant. She spoke:
    ‘ Why aren’t
aliens flying about in spaceships if they’re so smart? That’s the
standard question we get time and time again at The Origins
Society.’ She felt that under the present circumstances she could
hit her own species hard. ‘That’s common human arrogance, mutations
and environments over millions of years led to our existence. We’ve
had our present intelligence for about a hundred thousand years,
only over the last thousand years have we learnt the science to
bring us spaceships. You should ask, why are we humans so dumb? A
planet’s life started evolving depending on its age, and only
roughly at the same pace as others; we appear to have our noses in
front…just, when you include knowledge. Aliens that could learn
from us are a real threat to many of you, so you cower in fear. But
thanks to the variety which is part of our evolution, others
welcome the idea.’ She paused to let her reprimand sink
in.
    It seemed
that for the first time in its history, the species that had
labelled itself as wise man, couldn’t speak. She stared quizzically
at them and wondered how far out of ignorance they had come. Their
restraint erupted into questions, she had forced them to become a
little wiser!
     
    ‘ Take a look
at those idiots Alfonso, they’d dance at their own funerals!’
cursed out Senator Goring as he absorbed the festivities of those
who’d taken to the streets. He could only sneer at the enormous
news screen as he wallowed in the opulence of his office, waiting
for the inevitable prop from his grey aide in both expression and
dress, who oozed out cynical support from under his black
hair.
    ‘ The usual
false dawn Senator, once the alcohol has worn off they’ll be back
home worrying about their shares!’
    ‘ J ust in case, is there any action
we need to take to thwart the bleeding hearts?’
    ‘ Of the
fifteen Senators: You and those who are accepting contributions
to their worthy causes number five. That
means for us to be out voted at the Senate, eight of the remaining
ten have to go soft!’
    ‘Those sums I like Alfonso, is there anything
else?’
    ‘Yes Senator, it’s about Elena, we could use
her more effectively. She has a liking for business.’
    ‘ But business
is all about numbers, she’d be the first
native to receive computer training.’
    ‘With her intelligence, she’d learn
quickly.’
    ‘Now, what are you really