Adopted Son (19 page)

Carlos: Dr. Boyd, you have a fantastic hypothesis that you spell out in this book. It’s something that really terrified me, and I think that our viewers will really be interested. Summarize, if you can, what you think HS actually is.

Nick: Well Carlos, this is fundamental to my theory, and it is something that needs to come out in the open. That’s why I wrote this book. I want there to be discussion on this topic. You see, when now Vice President Johnston opened that vault at Wright-Pat, he really created more questions than he did answers. Like most people, I started thinking about what the aliens wanted. And what HS might have to do with their presence on our planet. Some people are saying that the HS virus is just something native to the alien’s home planet and has been affecting their people for years. Others have said that the virus may be a botched attempt at a bio-weapon. But I don’t buy those answers. I’ve come to a terrifying conclusion.

Carlos: And that is?

Nick: Let me pose a question. How do you invade a planet? Sure, we’ve all seen ‘War of the Worlds,’ but could you actually do that? Not likely. We’ve got about six billion people on this planet, think of the logistical nightmare in bringing enough troops and equipment to win the war. You’d need a billion soldiers. That isn’t practical. You could use nuclear bombs of course, but then all you win is a shattered husk. Perhaps a biological weapon would kill off the native population, but you could never be sure that a mutated strain would kill your people too. So, what do you do? You invent the HS virus.

Carlos (
coyly
): I’m not sure I follow...

Nick: It is my contention that the aliens have created a virus that changes humans in such a way that their children are genetically the same as the alien race. Now, what would happen as more and more alien children start appearing? Well, my research has shown that in the majority of families with HS children, the parents’ instinctual bonds towards their children are weakened. Not in every case, of course, but because the kids are not genetic descendents of the parents, there is a disruption. You see it now every day. More and more HS kids are winding up abandoned on the streets. In some less civilized countries infanticide of HS kids is more common than raising them.

Carlos: What does it all mean?

Nick: As the family structure begins to break down, these ‘alien’ kids will begin to feel, well... ‘alien.’ They know they’re different, society will treat them different. Their parents will resent them, society will resent them. They will begin to form their own society, throwing off the conventions of their elders, with whom they share no particular bond. As time progresses more and more ‘alien’ children will be born, eventually becoming the majority. Then the extraterrestrial ‘parents’ return. Who will this majority of ‘earth aliens’ side with? The invaders of course. So neat and tidy they’ve invaded our planet without a shot. Not a man lost on their side and they annex a fully industrialized planet already prestocked with loyal citizens. It’s really a brilliantly efficient idea when you think about it.

Carlos: Let’s turn to you Dr. Violin. What to do about it?

Richard: That’s a good question. My book advocates creating orphanages to house and watch these children. If they are kept from normal society and given a proper indoctrination, perhaps they won’t pose as much of a problem. At least it will keep them away from uninfected people. You may have noticed that militia groups calling themselves ‘Patriot Brigades’ have begun to sprout up, swearing to ensure loyalty. A well-armed militia is the key to a strong, united America. The founding fathers knew it. We should follow their example.

Nick: Oh God no. This is playing right into their hands. Loyalty oaths and concentration camps! If you put these children in concentration camps of course they are going to rebel. They are going to feel less and less human. The more resentment that is shown towards them, the quicker they will give up on their forefathers. They must be embraced, made to feel that they are natural members of our civilization. That’s the only hope we have left.

Richard: Until a cure for the virus is found of course.

Nick: More like
if
a cure is found. The so-called ‘Senate Panel for HS Research’ is spending all of their money on scientific research. No one is prepared to address the social problems of this thing. And they are just getting worse and worse. The number of HS cases in this country is rising rapidly. In a few years it may become too late to reverse the effects. One day we are going to have to answer for how we treat these children of ours. And not a dime is being spent on that issue today.

Richard: Unlike you Dr. Boyd, I have faith in our medical community. I am sure that a cure for this virus will be found. Once that happens the human population will be vaccinated against this threat. At the current rate of infection, my models predict an alien population of two to three percent maximum by the time the cure is found. While significant, that does not represent a level high enough to present a serious disruption to American society. We should take the example of those African countries that are quarantining all aliens from birth. Those countries have a much lower infection rate than here in the U.S. where we allow those people to walk among us like normal human beings.

Nick: They’re committing genocide over there! Thousands are being murdered every day!

Carlos: Well, I hate cut off this fascinating discussion, but we’ve just got to go to commercial. We’ll be back with more of Dr. Nicholas Boyd and Dr. Richard Violin on
Pundits!

Fade to black.

Farmland outside of Monmouth, NJ. Eight months after Bill Potter took the oath of office.

“I’m not sure about this speech Ron. I wish that you would have given me a copy before now.”

“Don’t worry about the speech. It’ll go over great. Just trust me.”

“It seems a bit... well, a bit extreme is all.” Ray flips past some of the pages. “The people elected Bill and I because they thought we would deal with this HS problem. The first part is great, but it starts to get pretty far out near the end. Some of the stuff in this speech is just going to cause panic.”

“Look, who’s the speech writer here, you or me?”

“You’re not a speech writer, you’re the Chief of Staff Ron.”

“I know, and how did I get that position? I was the one who ran Bill’s campaign. I approved all of his campaign speeches. I’m telling you, don’t worry about this. No one is going to take everything you say seriously anyway. They expect you to be alarmist. They expect you to be way over the edge.” He poked a finger at the speech. “Very little of this is going to actually happen. There are enough people opposed in Congress to keep all this wrapped up in committee. All you’re going to do is rouse people up a little. The more excited they start to get, the more they’ll appreciate you. Trust me.” Ron Willins smiled with his perfectly white teeth. A cheer can be heard from outside of the limo. “Listen to them out there Ray. They’re chanting for you. You’re on, it’s too late to fix the speech.”

Ray opens the door and begins to step outside. “I’m going to give this speech Ron, but we’re going to talk about this more when I get back. I want to approve these speeches at least a day beforehand from now on. I’m the freaking Vice-President, I should have some say in what I’m telling people.”

Two Secret Service agents in dark suits wait patiently as Ray steps out of the limo. A path is cleared for him. About three hundred people have shown up here today, along with some news media. Standing at the front of the crowd is the Governor of New Jersey and a Catholic priest. Behind them are some hangers on and staffers. To the left is a small gallery of children, all HS positive. They stand meekly, wary of the attention. Some in the crowd carry signs that denounce the children as aliens, or invaders, or worse. Police have combed the crowd and taken away some of the more offensive signs, this will be televised of course, but perhaps in order not to antagonize the crowd, perhaps because the police have some of the same feelings, or perhaps on the advice of the Chief of Staff, some of the signs and banners remain.

The Vice President steps up to the Governor and shakes his hand. He places the speech on a thin podium. There isn’t much wind today, so it’ll be ok to read from notes. A staffer steps up and hands Ray a chrome plated shovel. Ray holds up the shovel and leans in to the microphone. The crowd grows silent in anticipation.

“Citizens of New Jersey,” he begins. “Today is a great day. I have come here with Governor Peterson to break ground on the first of what I hope will be many new facilities that will be built as part of our new initiative against HS. As you certainly must know, the Senate panel on HS has handed us three recommendations, a three-pronged approach to fighting this terrible and debilitating disease. The first and most important prong is to develop a vaccine, a cure for this plague that has been thrust upon us. The second prong is prevention. Millions of federal dollars are now being distributed to the states to start testing campaigns. People who have been infected with the virus will soon know, and will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to bring another HS child into this world. This identification program alone is predicted to lower the number of HS positive births in the U.S. by a factor of two to three.” A cheer comes for the crowd. Ray takes the opportunity to clear his throat.

“But I’m not here today to talk about those two programs. I’m here to talk about the third prong of our war against HS, and that is convalescence. As the number of HS cases has grown, so has the hardship on America’s families. Raising a child in the best of times is a difficult and time consuming effort, but when the added pressure of raising an infant with this terrible disease... well, it’s just more than some people can bear. The incidence of abandoned children in our country is reaching epidemic proportions. Not less than 25,000 HS positive infants have been abandoned this year alone. And the number is growing. It is understandable that certain people would not want to raise such a child. There is fear of an alien invasion and what these children might become. There is a decreased maternal bond since the child is not the true progeny of the parent. There is fear of possible reprisals by the community. And there is fear of violence from that community. I can’t tell you how many reports of violence against HS children and their families have reached my ears. And that is sad. Sad that we as a people can’t conduct ourselves with more decorum. Let it be said that the government will not under any circumstances condone vigilantism of this nature.”

“But of course, we can’t be everywhere, the police can’t be everywhere, family counselors can’t be everywhere. And that is why I have sent forth legislation which has resulted in the construction of this new orphanage. Here, out in the countryside, away from the general populace. Here, at these houses of love, HS children will feel accepted. They will get to play with other children suffering from the same disease. They won’t have to feel like outcasts, strangers, freaks. They will get the acceptance and the education that they need to survive. They’ll also be safe. Safe from vigilantes, safe from criminals who would exploit them. Safe from parents who don’t have the strength to provide the increased amounts of love that they need and deserve.”

“And although we call this an ‘orphanage,’ it is more than that. Call it a ‘sanitarium.’ It is my vision that this place will not just be used to house those children that have been abandoned by their parents, but will also be a place of healing. Psychologists will be on hand to ensure that every child grows up loving America. Research scientists will be on hand to care for the unique health issues that HS brings with it. They will examine these children in hopes of reversing the disease and its spread. The children that will grow up here will provide an invaluable service to humanity, even if they aren’t human themselves. They will be treated with the utmost care, and with full oversight by both the American Medical Research Ethics Board and the Senate Panel on HS.”

“It is my belief that this building, and those like it, will become a beacon of hope. I believe that in the future, parents will not abandon their children on the streets. They will take them to this place lovingly. They will know that the United States does care about these children, that this government will not turn a deaf ear to your problems. It is my vision that parents will one day see that placing their child in a facility such as this will be superior, yes superior, to raising the child in their home.”

“I’m excited about the future. I hope you are too. Now, let’s get this show on the road!” A cheer comes from the crowd. Ray reaches down with his shovel and digs the ceremonial first shovelful of dirt.

In the background, the children stand shoulder to shoulder. They watch and listen as the Vice President speaks about their new home. One small child stirs. He looks about, fidgity. There are an awful lot of policemen behind him. Some in the crowd are holding signs. Enoch can’t read very well just yet, but he does get the message. A lot of the people in the crowd seem mad at him. He wonders what he has done. He’s always tried to do what the Father has taught him. He tugs at the sleeve of the boy next to him. Franklin is like a big brother to him. He is much older and smarter. “Franklin, Franklin. What’s happening? Why is everyone mad at me? What are they saying?”

Franklin continues to glare straight ahead. He is older than his small roommate. He was there when the mob attacked Father Blythe. He knows exactly what the Vice President is talking about. He balls his fists in frustration but remains silent.

Four months after the Dallas Orphanage for HS Research opens its doors. The Watley family residence, Tyler, TX

Lorraine watched the wisps of steam rise from the coffee mug. “Well, maybe you should just think about it, that’s all I’m saying that’s all. It’s an... option you know?” said Joyce in her deep booming voice.

“I don’t know Joyce, I don’t think so.”

“Hey, I know how you feel, heaven help the person who suggests that I give up any of
my
kids. I love those darlings to death, even though they’re such a pain in the...” Something made of glass crashed in the living room. Joyce didn’t even get up. “Of course on the other hand, maybe you’re the lucky one.” She turned her head to the kitchen door. “Don’t make me come in there!” she shouted.