The Prince

Manoj sat in the chamber lost in thoughts. He remembered the day he had first met the human Princess. He was just 60 years old when his father had summoned him suddenly one day.

"Manoj, my eldest son! It is time for you to prove your worth as a crown-prince and my successor."

"Have I not proved my worth multiple times father?"

"That you have done, but as a warrior. Now, I want to see your diplomatic skills as well."

"Why do we need diplomacy father? We have no enemies."

"There are no permanent allies and enemies in a multipolar world, Manoj. Many disputes that cannot be solved by strength can be solved with wisdom and smart diplomacy. The true strength of a ruler lies in balancing power with diplomacy." he looked the crown prince in the eye. "Remember son, empires have fallen because of arrogant rulers who failed to notice how quick it is to destroy than build."

"Yes, father. I have read the "Chanakya Neethi" as you asked me to. but I still don't see how a book written 10 millennia ago can still be relevant."

"That is why I am sending you on a diplomatic mission to earth."

"What! What will do there on their tiny world? I might do more harm to them; after all, they are like ants - under 6 feet in height."

"Even ants can kill a snake that is several times bigger than them. The great scholar, philosopher, economist and strategist, Chanakya, was a human. They have more brains than you can imagine." Manoj was a bit suprised. "You will interact with the humans and find out what their true intentions are. Though we allowed them to open an embassy here on our world, I want to know why they are here? What are their true intentions? What are their capabilities in science, technology, war, engineering, medicine and anything else you can find."

"How long do I have?"

"Take as much time as you see fit. You will lead a fifteen member diplomatic team and set up our embassy there. You will also take your personal bodyguard with you for emergency backup." he beckoned the young prince closer. "This device will open a direct portal to our world should things go wrong. Use it judiciously."

Manoj looked at the wrist watch type device puzzled that his father was taking extreme safety measures. "What could the humans have that makes you so nervous father?"

"Experience, my son. Experience! I have learnt not to underestimate anyone nor to let my guard down. A ruler that is not cautious is bound to lose the throne sooner than later."

"You sound paranoid father. Perhaps you are giving the humans too much credit."

"I have read their literature and their historical sites Manoj Simha Bhupathi!" Manoj was shocked at the tremor in his father's voice. "They all point to interacting, fighting and defeating foes similar in size to our own species. I am not taking any chances and risking my heir on this mission. Nor will you do any unnecessary heroics. Is that clear?" the tone was now so harsh and cold that Manoj trembled instinctively. His father could be terrifying when he chose to.

"Yes, your majesty!"

That had brought him to the Akasaganga galaxy where the puny humans lived. The blue green planet that was third planet in the system was far beautiful than he had given credit for. The diplomats were also pleasantly surprised.

"It looks beautiful your highness."

"Yes it does. Too bad the planet is not ours."

"True your highness. We could easily add this planet to our empire."

"I don't doubt that. But, our orders are to observe, record and report. Remember, this is recce mission. Conquest would come later." the men seemed disappointed but did not express it loud. They knew not to contradict the crown prince unnecessarily.

"Captain Vikram, take us planet side."

"Aye sir." The small 10 kilometer spacecraft moved closer to the planet and suddenly there was a warning beep that made the Pilot swerve the vessel bringing it to a stop.

"What happened?"

"Scanning for close proximity barriers sir." the captain's fingers flew over the controls as he tried to analyse why he had got the proximity alert. "There seems to be an invisible barrier sir - several thousand kilometers thick."

"Visuals?"

"None sir. I am using all possible frequencies but the barrier remains invisible."

"Did you try non-imperial and unknown frequencies?"

"Negative sir. Sorry sir." the man typed furiously at the control panel till a thick fog like barrier appeared on the screen. "That is the barrier stopping us sir."

"Do you have the human frequency?"

"Yes sir."

"Hail them."

"Aye sir." he worked on the console till his efforts were answered by a static and then a sweet female voice.

"Earth Space Traffic Control. How may I assist you?" (of course she was speaking in Telugu.)

"Translate!" the captain tapped some more buttons and the translated text appeared on the screen. "Seek permission to enter!" the captain looked surprised but complied with the order.

"This is Royal Imperial Dimplomatic Vessel Garuda of the Ambapuram Empire seeking permission to land."

"Royal Imperial Diplomatic Vessel Garuda of the Ambapuram Empire! State your purpose of the visit."

"We are here to establish an embassy on your planet."

"Wait a minute please." the static was replaced by a classical music native to Ambapuram that surprised the Diplomats.

"How did they do that?"

"We have a lot to study about this tiny race. Keep your eyes and ears open."

"Aye, Aye, Sir."

"Thank you for waiting. Welcome to Planet Earth Crown Prince Manoj. Please standby for an escort while a full honour guard eagerly awaits your arrival. Thank you for choosing our planet your highness." Manoj nodded his head in approval.

"They appear to be well informed and efficent." he signalled to the Captain who unmuted the com channel. "It is our pleasure to vist your beautiful planet."

"Thank you your highness." the voice replied. Your escort should be visible in three seconds." that was followed by a squadron of fighter jets that were like flies before an elephant. They quickly took up an escort formation round the RIDV Garuda.

"Royal Imperial Diplomatic Vessel Garuda! This is Squadron Leader Abhinav Sharma, your escort. Do you copy?"

"Loud and clear Sqn. leader."

"Please follow us." with that the large alien vessel was guided expertly to the largest available space dock built round the planet. When Manoj stepped out of his vessel, he and his team were greeted by a middle aged man wearing a silk dhoti, Silk shirt and an uttareeyam. A Royal Military Guard in a strange military uniform was waiting on both sides of the red carpet that had been laid from the vessel to the entrance of the space dock. A tiny shuttle of some kind was idling a little further away from their vessel.

"Welcome to Planet Earth Your Highness." the man said greeting Manoj with his palms folded. Manoj acknowledged the greeting with the Royal Salute - right hand to the chest and the head bowed a little. "I am the Prime Minister of Bharat and this is my wife." his wife greeted the prince in the customary way to which the prince responded with a greeting of his own.

"I am Crown Prince Manoj Simha Bhupathi of the Great Ambapuram Empire, sent by His Majesty, The Emperor of Ambapuram, to establish an embassy on your planet. These are my embassy staff." he said pointing to his diplomats. "And this is my personal Bodyguard who must stay with me at all times."

"No problem, your highness. But, please do us the favour of inspecting the honour guard." That marked the beginning of a wierd but rewarding stay on this wonderful planet inhabited by the tiny humans.