While the council meets with...

Archie, as he had grown more and more accustomed to being called, sat like a statue in the courtroom. His elders behind him, a similar council of nine humans with staggering authority. At the very least, in Nova culture, elders and alphas would convene for a vote together...these nine had no one balancing them. No one keeping them humble...no time limit, and no restrictions. Rather, these nine chose the restrictions for an entire nation.

No few should ever hold such authority. That hardly mattered. They did...and it was now his job alone to see to it that they would be willing to hear out the arguments young Nebula had lain out. The leader, front and center in their bench, read out the introduction to the case.

"The Supreme Court opens case Novaxan Alpha "Archie". Is it correct that you intend to debate this case alone?"

Archie shimmered with affirmation. "Yes, your honor. I do."

"Please state the plea to which you are referring."

"I intend to show that the former ruling, to isolate my people to the ocean, need not be the only available option...and may not be the best."

All nine of the black robed humans murmured amongst each other for a moment. "What alternative would you propose?"

"Cohabitation."

No murmurs this time, just glances. "And why would this be the more preferable option? It is our understanding that your people are naturally oceanic creatures, and the surface is crowded as is..."

"I believe a union of our species would lead to a solution of these problems and more."

A skeptical look crossed the lead judge's face, as well as most of the others. One, on the left, looked more intrigued. She spoke next. "Would you be willing to elaborate on each of these points?"

Archie cleared his throat, nervousness crawling down his spine. One of the elders, a woman, touched his arm gently and held out a glass of water. He nodded in thanks and drank it quickly before standing. "I...would be willing. It came to my attention only yesterday that human DNA is compatible with our own. That is...a child can be conceived. I believe these children would be fit to aid both our people better than we alone can."

The lead justice leaned forward. "How so? And how did you find this information?"

Something felt different in Archie. Something more stable...mentally faster. Calmer. He looked back at his elders.

<What was that drink?>

<Adenosine. Get going... we're counting on you.>

They'd picked up on Nebula's little trick, then. They must have snuck some out of a learning machine. It would be temporary...he had to make this count. He took a deep breath, feeling himself calm enough that his emotions no longer crawled across him. "First, I would like to elaborate on the benefits of these potential children. Novaxan minds are rarely capable of creativity. We improve on what is already here with great efficiency more often than anything. Once in a very rare time, one is born that can create."

He reached under his seat, and found the junky sphere Nebula had made. Turning it over for a moment, he pressed a green button. Moments later, the greeter at the Novaxan building came into view on a small hologram.

"This, your honors, was crafted by one such child. He has yet to reach adulthood and find his peak potential, and he crafted this from scrap metal and salvaged circuitry. Along with a partner device directly linked to it."

A judge on the right spoke now, "That is impressive. How would it contribute to solving any problems, though?"

"This level of ingenuity and capability had brought about every major shift for our people. These rare Novaxans are responsible for our survival from the death of our planet, and have never failed to create something they set their focus on. The creativity natural to the human mind would likely spark a large number of such children. Half-humans that can create and process with the best of each of our specie's minds."

The lead justice eyes him warrily. "And how did you find out about this possibility?'

"The same young Novaxan that made this device looked at our genetic structures and DNA, finding them compatible."

"Theories are less than helpful. We can look into approval for testing and move from there."

Archie took another deep breath. "There is no need. A human woman is already with child...my child."

The lead justice turned stone faced, though his clenched jaw gave away his thoughts. "How, and why, did this happen?"

"She was simply trying to be a good hostess...and through an accident we discovered that chocolate has a compound that acts on our people as a potent, and even hypnotic, aphrodisiac...one that strips away the ability to think. It was brought to my attention two days ago."

The lead judge breathed deep. "The court will convene alone and return within the hour...we will consider these points and your plea together."

"There is...possibly another child. A romance blossomed between the Novaxan female that has recently been brought to attention, and the human that rescued her. The two of them, and her young brother, are currently living in a manner similar to a human family unit."

The judge on the left, who still looked more intrigued than anything, spoke while looking at the others. "We will consider this as well. I believe my fellow justices have all the information necessary to reach a verdict."

The lead judge nodded in agreement, stood before the others and lead them from the court. The younger judge who spoke last took a moment to grab the sphere Archie had shown them. She whispered, "You'll get this back, don't worry...but I think we need to consider this."