Chapter 64: Truths II
The “new” UN Headquarter in Paris was one of those modern buildings. Barely a straight line and more curves than you can count. Ten years ago, the building had been finished and thanks to its very modern design only costed three times as much as predicted. A bargain really.
Marcus followed the rest of their group through the gigantic entrance area, a sphere with colorful glass representing all the nations in the world, and was just happy not be here on his own. He wore the suit from the wedding of Janette and Cherry and still felt out of place. Janette walked besides him, also in a dark suit and white shirt, and looked totally relaxed. Their small group was lead by several diplomats, that Marcus did not know, but was told they belonged to the UK and France. Behind the dignitaries walked Carmen and Grace, both in formal dresses.
The two women were still debating last points and Marcus remembered what Grace had told him just this morning. “Marcus, if at all possible you should keep the illness of the Protector and your involvement in the healing a secret.” He understood the reason for that and hoped nobody would poke too much on the details of their meeting. Or why the UN was paying a quarter of a million for him to say hello to Azaa, once a month. They passed the first security check and they had to leave all weapons and recording devices behind, that included phones. Janette managed to produce two pistols and a throwing knife out of her suit and gave Marcus an innocent smile.
The higher and also deeper into the building they came the less people were in the hallways. They passed two more security points and finally stopped in front of a large double door. Carmen came to Marcus and like a mother started to inspect and correct his attire. “Listen Marcus, what ever happens in their you need to stay calm. This is not personal, this is nation level diplomacy. If you lose your cool you give others leverage and cause problems for the people who support us.” she said and Marcus wondered who those people were. “Non of the diplomats in this room are your friend besides the people who sit next to you. They all have their own agendas and interests.” she looked him into the eyes. “Most of the experts in there are people I have worked with, they will try their best to stay factual but they also belong to nations. Keep that in mind.” Satisfied with scaring the shit out of Marcus, she moved away and Janette stepped next to him. She looked serious “Still think this is just another hearing?” and Marcus shook his head.
Finally the doors opened and let them into a large hall. The setup was like a university lecture room with the difference, that instead of a professor a line of desks marked where they would sit and instead of students diplomats from all over the world stared down at them. Marcus followed the rest and took place on a chair with his name card on it. Janette took a chair behind him, next to the wall. Marcus felt better knowing she was just a few meter away. He looked around the room and he could easily tell the difference between the diplomats and the other experts and scientists. Not every nation was here, on the contrary after looking over the flags he quickly realized what the nations had in common. They all had monoliths in their borders. 64 monoliths existed on Earth and all nations in control of them were here right now.
The show started and while diplomats explained how historic the situation was, Marcus tried to look as unimportant as possible. That was a bit difficult because he was by far the largest person on the panel. Large computer screens revealed the city of the ginghi, Mihr Jhel, and the reactions of the audience was powerful. Every piece of information took forever because of questions and answers from the various nations. After half an hour they had made very little progress but Marcus had learned a good bit. Some nations did not say anything. Some only asked clarifying questions and some already prepared a narrative. The dignitary from the USA, a tall blond man with a lot of gel in his hair, was constantly criticizing every detail of the expedition and questioning every result. On the other hand the diplomat from China greatly welcomed the results and showed great interest in the ginghi. Marcus did not trust either.
After two hours they made a 15 minute break and Marcus had not said a word but felt like he had sweated more than in the Frillar fight. He stretched his legs and joked around with Janette before he returned to his seat. As the room slowly filed up again, Marcus realized a few more people had joined the experts and scientists. He saw men and women take their place and setup their laptops and tablets. NO!
Marcus mind froze. He could not breath and quickly stared at his own hands on the table. Not now, not like this! His instincts were to leave the room this very moment, to run as fast as he could. But he had to stay! This was too important, he could not abandon Carmen and the expedition. Marcus closed his eyes and concentrated. He was no longer a child, he had achieved many things. He was not alone, he had friends and he had Janette and Cherry. There was no reason to run or to feel weak. He took a deep breath and looked straight forward, avoiding the left of the room completely.
Marcus followed the discussion and eventually the topic moved on to the revelations about the portals and monoliths. It caused a great amount of unrest and the discussion became heated. The diplomat from the USA outright called it a lie and superstition of a primitive race. “The United States of America will under no circumstances allow others to curtail their freedom. Not in the use of the monoliths nor in the use of the portals that exist in its territories.” The man said. Marcus had expected something like this and watched how the world divided between believers and skeptics. One faction was lead by the USA the other by China, representing the Chinese Block. It was world politics and they played with the future of all of humanity. Stupid bastards, Marcus thought.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The discussion became more and more emotional, the USA questioned the whole expedition, calling their reports lies and their conclusion foolish. “It is completely impossible that a small society like those orks (he did that on purpose Marcus was sure) could create class holders even close to the strength as the major nations of Earth. The idea they could posses two class holders that exceed the strength of any human on Earth is laughable. Not to talk about the claims of an inexperienced kid, that they have a mysterious super warrior that possessed unbelievable power. To dare to call this extraordinary meeting based on the vague and completely unqualified ramblings of amateurs is a direct affront not only against the nations in this room but the UN as a whole.” Marcus stayed cool and looked at the man who did his best to discredit everybody in the expedition. But Marcus really wanted to blow his head off.
What followed were chaotic discussion, but they slowly condensed to the question of validity. The USA proposed another expedition under the lead of the USA, and with proper experts. “I would like to hear the testimony of the person who met this Protector person. Mr. Marcus Freimann, I believe. Could you please comment on your encounter.” The diplomat from China called him out and suddenly the whole hall was looking at Marcus. He swallowed and spoke with a dry mouth “The encounter with the Protector only lasted a few minutes but the moment I met him it was clear to me that he was beyond anything I have ever witnessed. Even the two female class holders that had shocked every class holder in our security team were insignificant to the raw power of that man. He is hundreds of levels beyond anything Earth has to offer.”.
“This statement is worth less than nothing coming from somebody who can not even be called experienced. This young man has not the capacity to identify a strong class holder in the first place. If that ork (again) was even level one hundred it would be a surprise but it would be enough to impress somebody lacking the experience or mental capacity to evaluate such an encounter.” Was the instant reply from the blonde man. Did he just call me an idiot? Stay calm Marcus.
“In contrast to your accusation I do have the experience to make this statement. I have met the strongest human on Earth and with all due respect he is an ant compared to the Protector.” Was Marcus’ cold answer. “An obvious lie. THIS is the exactly why another expedition under the stewardship of the USA should be send to fully evaluate the claims.” The blonde man looked smug enough to make even Marcus vomit.
“To avoid misunderstandings, with the strongest human you mean...” The sharp diplomat from China asked Marcus. You know exactly who, I will be damned if China is not aware who goes to or leaves Sleeping Sky’s island, Marcus thought. “The Grand Paladin Kim Ye-jun.” Marcus said and whispering went through the room. Before the American could continue his harassment the voice of another man came from the speakers. “With all due respect to the dignitary of the USA, but your assumptions and claims are without foundation.” The large screen changed and showed a middle aged, white man in a suit. Speaker: Professor Reinhardt Freimann, Chief Scientist of the UN Expedition Research Program.
“For one the ultimate strength of class holders has not been discovered. Only a few years back we expected level 100 to be the limit, but that has been disproved. The individual strength of a class holder is also not depended on the size of the nation that they belong to. Mr. Kim is level 136 and hails from a comparable small nation. If, as we expect the life of a class holders can exceed several hundred years, it is possible that outstanding individuals could reach heights as described in the report. Thirdly, the claims that my son has met Mr. Kim can easily be verified by asking Mr. Kim. And lastly I can assure you my son’s intellect is well above average, I can show you his IQ tests, even so they were made while he was still a child they should be fairly convincing.” Marcus listened and felt torn on the inside. He was afraid and angry but also happy and confused. He had not expected that his father would come to his defense in such a way. The rest of the room had gone silent and the American looked surprised by the circumstances.
“Professor Freimann. How do you evaluate the claims of the expedition concerning the monoliths and portals?” Spain wanted to know, China and Australia joined the question. “Everything presented here is consistent with the reports of my and other teams over the last years. It is no secret that we have found more than a dozen fallen species. And that are only the confirmed ones, through a lack of funding and manpower we have not been able to keep up with the speed of exploration. More than thirty potential species, ruined by yet unknown forces have been found. The explanation offered by the ginghi is the best we have at this point.”
Marcus’s father continued to talk and Marcus finally turned and looked at him. It was his father but it was not the man in his memories. He looked older but also less cold and distant. His voice was more alive than Marcus remembered. As his father went on Marcus had to admit, he had forgotten how much he enjoyed listening to his fathers explanations. Clear, sharp and intelligent he swayed the opinion of the room towards the expedition and an hour later the USA stood alone. The meeting ended and the nations would continue to discuss what actions they would take from now on.
Together with the rest of the group Marcus got up and slowly moved out of the room. Janette seemingly teleported next to him and took his hand. “You wanna run or do you want to fight?”
Marcus was not sure.
