We have to give him credit for honesty (when this was his plan all along.)

first day? More like the first hour ...

"... mind if I join the game? Triple or nothing?"

"... on what exactly, Ahshu?"

"That he'll try again first thing tomorrow!"

"What?? Are you insane, or do you think these people are idiots?"

"Oh, I'm flat out convinced of the latter ..."

It's not about the ability. The UN has the ABILITY to help people right now.

It's about the will. More ability will not help with will.

I was under the impression that a lot of the problem was more the veto power that some nations wield. "Global superpowers" being able to straight-up ignore any resolutions that they don't just shut down entirely.

They'll probably be voting more in favor when the UN has all the nice new toys.

Since the Alliance is not a part of the UN, they don't have to play by their rules. Just say that "What we offer is only valid with no vetoes in the Security Council".

It's those lamb-chops. How could Zane possibly trust anyone like that?

If Zane has not been at it for hours, I think he is way to quick to anger/lose his composure. Good thing he has not been forced to sit through a Catholic ecumenical council ! After a few years he would have flamed the entire planet.

Addendum....maybe it HAS been hours ? But I don't think so.

But standing up to leave is not a good signal and will be interpreted identical even between different species.

That the point. Expressed clearly and unequivocally, he will not show favoritism, even if you have to be rude toward Mr. President to understand this.

Zane absolutely do not want to play any political game at any scale, and he's under no obligation to play it.

---

And this answer is going to be longer than just you, because I've thought of a few more things (sorry for using Zane's word, but it's the most natural flow to express my opinion).

"You have nothing to force me to stay on this planet, or even to leave this star system to let you alone. And maybe in a year's time, by the time the official Alliance diplomatic team arrives, you'll have resolved your ego issues and we can start a real dialogue. I'm only here as a courtesy, and one that can easily be withdrawn.

Beside, you say that there's a need for a privileged nation and that the UN can't take on this role because you don't agree on everything or that this organization is too bureaucratic? Guess what? What do you think an interstellar alliance of 6 alien races looks like? We don't all agree on everything, yet we take the time to discuss and come to a consensus. So I think it's legitimate to ask the same of you. How you're going to get it? That is your problem.

We will deal with everyone equally, or with no one at all."

*SLAM*

Agent Iskra look with dagger in the eye the President who fuck up, by greed and ubrisity, a negotiat with an alien nation.

Zane probably doesn't want to bring up responsability, given he has the lion's share. He was in command of the fleet and he trusted someone he shouldn't, and failed to instigate adiquate safeguards or supervision for multiple departments.

He'd prtobably rather the whole thing was sweapt under the carpet as quickly and as neatly as possible, as an unfortunate accident we don't need to look into too closely, so that he can focus on the (hopefuilly) successful second contact. And still have a job the day after his superiors read said report.