Shards of Hope (Psy-Changeling 14)

To check the efficacy of the cooperation agreement, the Beacon reached out through the listed liaisons for comment from a number of other parties. Responses were received from all, including one of the notoriously terse predatory changeling alphas.

“This agreement isn’t a magic bullet,” stated Hawke Snow, alpha of the influential and deadly SnowDancer wolves. “It’s not going to fix the divisions in the world, but if everyone pulls their weight and no one attempts to subvert Trinity to their own ends, then it has the potential to eventually link the entire world together in a strong, functioning unit.”

Bowen Knight, leader of the Human Alliance, was even more pragmatic. “The Trinity Accord is currently on probation—the formation of the Federation itself will take years of work because while the Alliance has had little friction with changelings, it has had significant issues with Psy. It remains an open question whether we can work together.”

Kaleb Krychek, inarguably the most powerful Psy in the world, stated that he is a businessman and that the Trinity Accord is good for business. “Only idiots or those with blinkered vision will oppose it.”

At time of press, the signatories to the Trinity Accord were as follows:

The Ruling Coalition.

The Arrow Squad.

The Empathic Collective.

Over one hundred predatory and nonpredatory changeling packs, including the SnowDancer wolves, the DarkRiver leopards, the BlackSea changelings, the StoneWater bears, the BlackEdge wolves, the SunGrass grazers, the IceRidge foxes, the DawnSky deer, the WindHaven falcons, the AzureSun leopards, the DesertRain lions, and the WaterSky eagles. Further signatories are expected.

The Human Alliance.

The Shine Foundation, as representatives of those who self-identify as part of the Forgotten population.

Hope Light, a nonpartisan humanitarian organization.

For the first time in Beacon history, the squad has responded to a request for comment, though in a way that fits its operating protocol. The following statement was remotely added to this article three minutes before we pushed Publish, confirmation of its authenticity provided by a psychic seal sent through the executive editor’s highly complex shields.

Aden Kai had this to say:

“The Trinity Accord is a test. For the United Earth Federation to come into being as more than an idea, we must first pass this test. That responsibility lies with every man, woman, and child in the world.

“We can decide to remain in our isolated bunkers, becoming more and more obsessed with looking inward instead of outward, or we can decide to be great together. We can decide to stagnate, or we can decide to grow. We can decide to settle for the status quo, or we can decide to reach for the stars.

“Choose.”