It's important to have real estate on
Earth. The old home world was now the centre of the Human Republic, the
umbrella organisation ostensibly responsible for the protection, representation
and spread of humanity across the stars, with over a hundred thousand planets,
asteroid habitats, moons and Dyson spheres answering directly to the
administration's marching orders.
But, thinks Anthony Margos as he walks
down a breezy, quiet street in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, the Direct
Governate is only a small fraction of the real power of the species. Millions
of different political entities dot the stars, from rogue city states to
powerful confederations dominating entire galactic sectors, culminating in an
absolute restaurant's menu of different ideologies, religions, cultures and
even manners out there for the idealistic person to try out. Some pride
themselves on their fierce independence from the Human Republic. While most of
these are lone asteroid colonies full of extremists, the largest of these
nations, the systems of the Maldavian Theocracy, resists on the grounds that
the United Nations' successor is illegitimate. The overlord's aggressive,
proselytising form of secularism is against the tenants of their
faith.
For the Maldavians, the high-minded
zealotry of their violent religion might well be enough. For smart powers in
the galaxies however, representation and inclusion in the Human Republic's
senate is the crucial prop both to their legitimacy to others, but also for
protection from the aliens, cultists or even the machinations of another
nation. And for that to happen, you needed to have a patch of sovereign
terrestrial territory. A couple of square meters of Earth trade for entire
planets.
It's great business for a real estate
agent like Anthony.
Turning to the left, he finally reaches
the destination- a border checkpoint.
Well, calling it a border checkpoint
exaggerates the prestige here. A single barrier with 3 guards separate Anthony
from the old Motel building and parking lot
assuming he doesn't wish to
walk around them from the United States of America to the Aurelian Federation,
today's seller.
Hello, I'm the estate agent. But
you can call me Anthony.
The ID doesn't even need to be presented
or uploaded before the guards nod and lift up the barrier. Anthony sometimes
regrets having such a powerful job title. It used to be fun arguing with the
millions of Earthling border guards, trying to find some reason to justify
walking into the Mormon Enclaves or the Joe Makey Utopia. On second thoughts
though, it's hardly like the Aurelians look like the most concerned with that
whole drama anyway. These guards don't have any weapons, and there's a dog
asleep in the post.
The earthly territories of the Aurelian
Federation consist of a 700 meter by 300 meter claim just a few blocks away
from the Salt Lake City's old airport. On the land are 4 main buildings, but
the main one consists of an ancient, pre-space age motel, still overhung by the
big Motel 6 sign, almost certainly only there due to a Human Republic heritage
claim case law. The 2 floors of the old building have a third, much more modern
floor placed on top, with flashy technology all over it, probably to hide the
cheap prefab construction of the module.
And, much like the cheap prefab on top,
an over the top individual in an elegant black suit and red tie emerges from
the ground floor with open arms. His face is broad, square and has what looks
like a gold monocle on his right eye. Anthony finds his mind wondering what's
the deal with the 'monocle look' that's so in fashion right now as the man
grasps his hand in a much too firm shake.
Hello, hello real estate agent,
and welcome to our humble country! I am Titus Rahhay, Senator for the Aurelian
Federation. How's your day been?
Anthony says nothing as he spots another
person, a woman, walk out of the building. She is the strangest thing. Her
chestnut complexion clashes badly with this almost alien gown with a blue wave
projection on it. It's actually pretty hard to not watch the surfer's paradise
going on on her body as he snaps back to Titus the Senator.
It's good. How's the
senate?
Oh, you know, the usual. Just
sponsored a motion to withdraw Republican funding from the war against the
Enras this morning but I think I'm going to be outvoted...
Ah well, so it
goes.
Without missing a beat, the estate agent
pivots over to the woman.
Hello, my lady. Estate Agent
Anthony Margos, here is my business card.
The lady graciously takes it while
shaking his hand.
Lady Yamoussoukro, Supreme
President of the Belmopan System.
Our man isn't phased in the slightest.
He's met more than enough leaders for that, though it's still a bit unusual for
them to be there in person. Clearly this sale is going to mean a lot, he
ponders as he reaches down into his pocket. From there is a pair of
computerised glasses, for all the research needs. Knowledge is power, after
all. And Anthony is a bit too old fashioned to want to get a surgical implant
like the senator.
Speaking of which, the senator points
over to the next door building, an old diner. The windows of the former Denny's
have mostly been covered in concrete, but apart from this sloppy bit of
construction most of it just now looks like a nice, converted office block.
This will have to be the object of the sale, so the trio walk over casually
towards it. Notably, one of the border guards detaches and follows.
A few dozen steps later, and Senator
Titus begins the usual seller's spiel.
As you can see, here is a piece of
sovereign Earth land. 110.2 meters by 120 meter plot to be precise, with a
virtual line drawn around the perimeter.
So it does, says the glasses. A neat
little rectangle surrounds the Denny's and the fabulous urban-hippie garden
that used to be the restaurant's car park. Just barely within the legal
limits.
And encompassing a fabulous
historic building. 20th century, used to be a restaurant believe it or not.
Nowadays of course it is both a residential and office complex, with room to
expand.
Well, room to expand is a bit tongue in
cheek here. It's just about enough space to take a quick leg stretching session
outside after a long day's working in the alleged offices. Anthony's eye zips
between multiple tabs of information, looking into the Belmopan Systems, the
Supreme President, and the local news from those distant stars. The pictures
sure look very frontier for now that's for sure.
Immediately, the Supreme President nods
enthusiastically.
Yes, yes, and the patch also has
some authentic home world natural landscape, with a proposed national
park.
Yes, the glasses are seeing the proposed
national park. A potted plant, probably some kind of sapling oak tree, but this
isn't elaborated on in the report and it's not like Anthony has green fingers.
For some reason, the Human Republic's bureaucracy still hasn't come round to
judging this particular claim.
He turns around and launches quick fire
some questions.
Human occupancy
potential?
The senator snaps happily.
100.
Bunk beds.
Planned
employees?
The supreme president is eager to add
into this.
55.
Who will cross an international border
every time they come in for the commute, 100%.
How many extraterrestrial claims
in the Belmopan Systems Madame President?
2 inhabited planets, Belmopan VI
and VIV. 43 asteroid colonies. 22 comets. 11 space stations. One yellow giant
star. One red dwarf.
These answers are clearly
rehearsed.
Price to be paid?
30 billion dollars, credit, 3
asteroid colonies located near the galactic borders and mining rights for
heavenly bodies within 10 lightyears of the borders.
That's a cheap deal. And for such
a recent secessionist cause too?
Both look uncomfortable, but Titus
planned this one out.
They had a referendum, they voted
for independence, and that's that. All according to both Aurelian and Republic
law, so no need for any bad blood.
Open market or direct
sale?
A hesitation.
Direct sale.
Anthony raises his eyebrow.
I assume it will be going to our
friend from Belmopan VIV .
.... Yes.
You do realise that Belmopan is
the name of a citystate already represented in the Human
Republic?
I understand. We intend to
register ourselves as the Belmopan Systems.
You understand that you are
legally required to know and follow Republic law. All sales are regulated by
the HR Terran Registry, and all sales claims must be presented by a private
estate agent who must inform clients of their rights, obligations and laws. No
collusion, corruption or political agreements must be present in the sale of
sovereign claims. Payments must be at or near market rates.
Yes, of course...
And yet, you are not following
these laws. There is obvious collusion, corruption and political agreements
ongoing in this transaction. The Belmopan Systems are going nominally
independent from the Aurelian Federation, with the clear motivation of swinging
the vote on the Enras war.
Absurd, that's a ridiculous
accusation!
Wrong answer. I have plenty of
evidence, recorded on my glasses.
This time the Madame president pipes up
to seek for mercy.
You're just bluffing. You can't
get away with these brazen threats!
Anthony shrugs.
Wrong answer.
Titus blinks. Years in politics has made
him very good at recognising the posture and intentions of others. This is no
bluff, and everything he is saying is true. With a series of daggers launching
from his eyes, he changes tack.
Please, consider the region. The
Enras didn't attack the Republic! It's all bankrolled and supported by the
factory colonies of the Gregantum Nebula, and there is no legitimacy to this
devastating conflict, that is flooding our humble planets and space stations
with wave upon wave of refugees.
Wrong answer.
We're doing what we have to to
stop the suffering, there, I admit it! The Belmopan Systems will be reabsorbed
into the Aurelian Federation in 5 years, when this whole Enras war is resolved
with a peaceful resolution. My peaceful resolution. I am bringing peace, to an
otherwise quiet part of the galaxy!
Wrong answer.
Have you no
heart?!
Before Titus can fly into a rage,
Anthony shrugs and shoots a glance at the Madame President.
Shame, I'm gonna have to report
you. And for such a noble cause, too. If only I could be stopped from ruining
the Senator's ambitious and brilliant political manoeuvre.
And there it clicks in the
woman.
We'll pay!
The senator turns to her in complete
shock. Yet, even as he moves to instinctively smack her, Anthony
laughs.
Correct answer.
Dead in the motion, Titus turns aghast
at the estate agent.
P-Pay you? Even
more?
You don't have to. I can just
report you for your blatant violations of Republic law.
Silence. Then Lady Yamoussoukro places a
hand on Titus' shoulder.
How much?
The senator, still not quite
understanding, stutters an objection.
But this is bribery? How could
you?
She sighs.
Titus Rahhay, let's be honest.
We're bending the rules of the Human Republic to try and get the best for
everyone. You know as well as I do that the Belmopan systems will continue to
be loyal to the Aurelian Federation as long as we live, and that we all face
common problems. If it takes a bribe to an estate agent to get peace for the
Enras peoples and ourselves, then we should take it. Anything for
peace.
Anthony smiles.
You've got a eye for politics,
Supreme President. With that eye and those noble goals, you might go far. Now,
let's discuss a rate, shall we?
Titus gravely dips his head. He checks
quickly to see if anyone is watching.
Let's.