Chapter 23: An Agreement

“Ambassador Jon’a-ren, and your gracious Excellency, Lyn’na-ra—”

“Please, Minister Keaton, no honorifics, please!” Lyn’na-ra protested. I am simply Lyn’na-ra. Titles make us most uncomfortable. It is not part of our culture and I beg you, do not inflict one upon me!”

“My apologies, Lyn’na-ra. It seems so insufficient and disrespectful, in our culture, not to honor someone of your remarkable stature, one who comes bearing such an incredible offer!”

“Then you will please call me Lyn’na-ra, and that will please me greatly, sir,” she smiled.

“Very well, Lyn’na-ra. We mean to express both to you and your husband ... is that the correct term, madame? Husband?”

“Yes, that is correct. Masi’shen use the term mate, which is our word translated into English, but husband is equivalent. Minister Keaton, let us agree to relax our concern for diplomatic etiquette and formality, lest we be here all night attempting to sort out our linguistic and cultural differences. Please treat us as you would treat guests from your own country. I assure you, Minister, there is little you could do to offend us. Already your nation has offered immense kindness and assistance to us. We are grateful for that.”

Minister Scott Keaton relaxed, settled back into his seat at the conference table, and smiled at the Masi’shen delegation.

“Thank you for your kind words and your gracious courtesy, my lady. I cannot begin to tell you how delighted we are, both my nation and myself, with this incredible offer you make. It is simply overwhelming!”

The conference between representatives of the Canadian government and the Masi’shen discussed an agreement to begin placing healing chambers throughout the Canadian provinces, starting with their university and hospital teaching centers. Additional devices would go to clinics at each of the “First Nations” indigenous peoples’ centers in Canada. Masi’shen technicians would supervise the installations and train local paramedics to operate the devices. Attending physicians would evaluate and document each patient, before and after treatment, keeping careful records.

“Am I correct to think that we have the singular honor of being the first nation on Earth to receive this gift?” Minister Keaton asked. “And if so, may I ask, how did you decide?”

“Yes,” Jon’a-ren smiled. “With the exception of a unit under our control in Geneva, which we demonstrated to UN Secretary-General Kusnadi, to his wife, Dr. Kusnadi, and to members of his staff, Canada will receive the first healing chambers on the planet.

“As for why? Need I remind you, sir, of the extraordinarily courageous and humane sanctuary that your government, your people, have offered to the Native American refugees, the Nez Percé people? Perhaps you are not aware, but certain members of the Nez Percé nation are valued friends of my son-in-law, Michael Hawthorne. If not for their courage and selfless actions, I and my mate and everyone on our ship would have perished in the Antarctic region. This mission to Earth and our offer of this healing gift to your nation would never have been possible. So you see, Minister Keaton, we are simply returning a favor for a favor. Kindness begets kindness, if you will.

“But on a more practical side, allow my wife to explain the reasoning. She and our daughter led a study group to evaluate the probable impact of unleashing this technology, to put it bluntly, on human society. Lyn’na-ra? Would you give us your summary report?”

Lyn’na-ra rose and beckoned to an assistant who began passing out bound copies of the report to the Canadian representatives around the table. When they had been handed out, she began to speak.

“Gentlemen, ladies, members of the government. When it was our pleasure to demonstrate the Masi’shen healing chamber to Dr. Kusnadi and her husband, the Secretary-General, she warned us of a probable consequence that we had not anticipated. Perhaps it is because our cultures are so different, but if we had proceeded as we originally intended, I fear we would have caused great dissension and possible upheaval and violence in some nations.

“You see, we had not considered that our device would displace a major segment of the world’s economy: the corporate and government interests that control health care, and the millions of people worldwide who make their livelihood in medicine. And that is one reason why we chose Canada as our first recipient,” Lyn’na-ra explained.

The noise level in the conference room rose sharply as people turned to their neighbors in surprise and shock.

“Good Lord!” Minister Keaton protested. “We have been so overwhelmed by this leap forward, that we never considered that as a consequence!”

“That’s not at all surprising, sir,” Lyn’na-ra nodded. “But we are quite certain that this leap forward is likely to require little more than a small accommodation in Canada’s healthcare system. Our consultations, our research and evaluations, found that of all but a few others, Canada is least likely to be adversely affected and is most likely to adapt positively to the new reality. If I may explain our findings, sir?”

“Of course, dear lady. Take all the time you need.”

“Thank you. In brief, Canada enjoys an excellent nationwide healthcare delivery system. It functions quite effectively. Your people are privileged with universal access to the best care your planet has to offer. No family is threatened with financial disaster should its provider become ill or injured. They enjoy a fundamental security: no citizen is denied medical treatment for lack of financial means. Every citizen is so entitled.

“Your people willingly bear the burden of taxation to support the system. Your professional health workers accept reasonable bounds on compensation inherent in such a system. Your institutions and support industries willingly participate and all who are involved, it seems, appreciate its value for the public good. To over-simplify, Minister, your healthcare system rests solidly upon an altruistic foundation. There is little toleration for profiteering or exclusion. Thus, Minister Keaton, Canada need not face the wrath of displaced corporate interests.

“Now you might ask, what will we do with all of our displaced health care workers and hospitals? That is a serious concern but one, we think, that may easily be resolved. You will continue to employ them, but they will become health maintenance and enhancement workers. The hospitals could be converted to research, teaching, and therapy centers for the promotion of health-enhancing lifestyle practices. I could suggest another pleasant consequence: our gift means that your people will be relieved of the heavy burden of taxation required to support your present health care system. Perhaps that burden could be halved, and the remaining tax revenues used to support the new health enhancement programs?

“This is only one suggestion. I am sure that you are quite capable of innovative adaptation. A nation that can succeed so admirably in providing health care can certainly succeed in a new age of health advancement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as my esteemed son-in-law who is a son of Earth, would say, No sweat! Lyn’na-ra smiled and sat down beside her mate.

“Fascinating!” Minister Keaton responded. He faced the other government officials present: “Does anyone have a comment or question?”

Laughter filled the room.

“Only enough to keep us here for the rest of the week,” someone uttered in a small voice.

More laughter erupted. An older woman, gray-haired and wearing a women’s styled business suit rose. Minister Keaton immediately responded.