Alien Deception (31 page)

Sarah quickly followed. "The people of this planet would never accept the thought of superior alien races here on Earth. The overwhelming thought of planet takeover would always be at the forefront of their minds."

Edward was nodding in agreement. "I have to agree with them both David, er…sorry, I mean Leumas. The people of this planet would never accept an organization here. I myself would be receptive to the idea, but I would be in the minority. Some humans would also agree but, as with most things, a majority is needed."

Leumas looked at them and smiled. "I have more to propose yet. I would also suggest that to quell the fears…"

::You've got to be kidding me!::
Greg suddenly said in his mind, sharing the thought with Sarah.

::What's wrong, Greg?::

::Leumas is going to suggest that you and I chair the Council!::

::What?::

Leumas’s voice returned through their thoughts, "…that, to quell the fears of the human populace, Greg and Sarah lead the Council in the new order of dual leadership. They will be of this planet and in charge of all the races that belong to the Council. The other races would be bound to obey them," Leumas stated clearly, as if it was so perfect there would be no need for discussion.

Again, Leumas had managed to render them speechless. He poured himself another cup of coffee.

"Any thoughts?" he asked.

"You can't be serious, Leumas," Sarah said, watching as Leumas stirred his coffee in a meticulous counter clockwise and then clockwise motion.

"I am quite serious, Sarah," he responded quickly. "And it would work, too. Wouldn't it, Greg?" He said as he turned toward Greg. "You know it would, so why be silent?"

"What does he mean, Greg?" Edward asked, his confusion showing.

But Leumas continued before Greg could answer his rhetorical question. "Greg has developed some unique abilities. I don't know about them all, but I believe that, if given a certain situation, he can see what the outcome will be before it happens. Am I right, Greg?"

Hesitantly Greg spoke, "To a certain extent, yes."

"What kind of—" Edward began, but was cut off by Leumas.

"What do you see in this particular instance, Greg?" he asked, staring into Greg's eyes.

"I'm not sure," Greg began warily. "The outcome is not easy to see, and too many variables come into play."

"This is the best way and you know it," Leumas said harshly. "You want a solution that gets this planet moving toward space, but you feel that you're not ready for it. This way I bring space to you. Right here at home on Earth. With you two controlling the Council, you can move at the speed you wish as far as Earth is concerned. It's a win-win situation."

"Why should Greg and Sarah control the Council?" Edward asked.

Leumas, admiring Edward's astuteness, answered. "Well, Edward, for several reasons. Greg and Sarah have developed some powers that make them unique, at least for the moment. No other species has developed what they have. This gives them an advantage in analyzing intricate situations and possibly even foreseeing the outcome. Their existence is a result of an inter-species relationship, a symbol of the unity of the Galaxy, and they have no private interests or affiliations that would affect their decision-making process." Leumas paused, took a sip of coffee and continued. "They know about the Council already, and the precepts under which it operates. Plus, they are already on file with the Council as a species that speaks its mind when it feels it is right. They have the courage of their convictions."

"So that makes them the perfect neutral and unbiased party," Edward said, nodding. "Makes sense, I have to say, right down to the rich symbolism."

"You're agreeing with him?" Greg asked, not sure of his own position anymore.

"I didn't say that. I just said the plan makes sense."

"It's absurd!" Sarah said heatedly. "It'll never work!" She looked to Greg and squeezed his hand under the table. "Right, Greg?"

Greg was momentarily silent as his thoughts slipped away from the conversation. He squeezed Sarah's hand back, and then responded slowly, yet confidently. "As absurd and strange as it may seem, the plan actually has a pretty good chance of working. I assume you have already discussed it with the other Council worlds already, Leumas?"

A grin slowly began to spread across Leumas’ face as he said, "I have mentioned it. I believe that they will agree to it if you will."

"Hypothetically, if they were to agree, all of this will be placed in written context and not interfere with planet politics, I assume?" Edward asked.

"Yes," Leumas responded coolly. "The UCDW would be treated as a neutral and separate country, similar to your Vatican in Rome. Its affairs would be its own, as will be those of Earth."

"Technology and scientific advancements for the Earth's benefit?" Sarah asked, her anger abated as her logic took over.

"Released in a slow and controlled manner, of course, that would enhance your own efforts. Make it appear as if your own people developed them and at their own pace," Leumas responded matter-of-factly.

"So, Greg, what do you say?" Leumas asked, as they all turned toward him to hear his answer.

Chapter Twenty

NO HANGING CHADS HERE!

"Landslide victory never seen before in the history of the United States," the newspaper's headline read. "A clear two-thirds majority has overwhelmingly elected Edward Samuel President. He is the first third party candidate or, as they are more commonly known, 'The Vision Party,' in the history of the United States to be chosen to hold the office."

In his acceptance speech, President Samuel spoke to a record audience both in attendance at the ceremony and those at home viewing him on television. He spoke with confidence and assuredness. "We have many problems that face the people of this country. We have a long hard road to travel to reach our destination. Yet, let us not fool ourselves: our goal is not a perfect country or world. It is a country that provides the opportunity to its inhabitants to live a life free of the impediments of those that would deny us our heritage. We must address the needs of the people and not the special interest groups," he vowed this most vehemently above all other issues.

"We have immediate plans to fix some of our problems with conventional methods, those which you have heard me address in great detail throughout the campaign. But remember these conventional fixes are big Band-Aids that we apply to the wounds of the American society. They are only temporary solutions."

He paused, looking slowly at his audience, noting the looks of renewed hope and anticipation. Then, in a loud booming voice, he continued, "We, you and I, have to do more! Government can't fix everything. People fix problems. People take care of people. People are our future. People must have vision, for without vision, we are nothing."

Cheers and applause rang out at this last statement. It was the slogan that had developed the last few months of the campaign as Edward’s outlook for a new America.

Edward described his vision. "We need jobs. We need more efficient energy sources. We need room for our booming population. We need the chance to begin again, and to regain our heritage as explorers. The solution to many of our problems is in space and the exploration of the planets, our new frontier."

He went on to explain that it was inevitable, that no matter how the Earth conserved its resources on this planet today, at some point in time, which was a lot closer than they had suspected, the resources would be depleted. Once that happened, an obvious chain of events would come into play, all of which were bad unless they began to address these issues now.

He continued. "The population explosion is continuing, and new generations, our children, will need jobs and the opportunity to achieve their vision, as we have had. That is the key. Opportunity. A word that means fairness to each and every person to become what he or she might. Equality for all."

Again, Edward paused his speech. Slowly he looked toward the sky, raising his hands in that direction. He then looked back into the eyes of his supporters. "Our direction is outward. Not for a few chosen, but for the masses. The vastness of space is the answer that fits the question of the future. If people are to be allowed to reach for that dream, we need to begin an aggressive program with all nations to expand into our solar system and beyond. The solutions to our problems here at home are out there, waiting. Those who sit and think about it are just dreamers. Our dreaming days are over!"

Almost immediately, his acceptance speech ignited serious discussions around the world and led leaders of many countries to offer their support for a joint space exploration effort. In the United States, he had raised the fervor of the people into anticipation that had not been seen since the first lunar landing on the moon.

Edward was a man of his word; it had been a key principle in his campaign. He instituted a process that placed novices rather than experts in influential positions. His approach was that new and innovative ideas usually did not come from so-called experts, but rather from people who were totally detached from the area. Experts were too close to it day in and day out, and often developed natural roadblocks in their minds. By the placement of those who saw things in a simplified manner to feed the imagination of the experts, renewed vigor would be inserted and could be maintained. Eyebrows were raised regarding this theory by some of the stalwart conservatives. Nevertheless, the consensus and Edward’s successes quieted them.

An appointee named to head the ambitious plan of "Vision for Tomorrow through Space," was a woman who had no experience in space exploration, but who possessed an exact working business knowledge on how to get a quality product marketed in the most cost-effective way. Also, she had the drive to sell the idea and make it appealing to even the most conservative person. Her name was Sarah McClendon.

* * * *

Greg wasn't sure the robe looked appropriate; it felt big and awkward on him. It reminded him of the robes worn by a judge. He turned sideways in the mirror and looked indifferently at the image. Chuckling, he raised his arms upward, the large awkward sleeves flopping about his elbows made him appear to have wings.

Giving up on trying to decide about the robe, he walked over to the window. He looked out of the large plate glass window that offered an excellent panoramic view of the mountain range, the scenic woods and beautiful horizon that surrounded the facility that he and the newly formed UCDW now called home.

The facility was carefully tucked away in a valley in the mountains of West Virginia. It was ideal. It had breathtaking views and was totally isolated from the outside world. Leumas, Edward, Sarah and he had spent many months searching for the perfect location, and had unanimously agreed upon this location.

Using Council technology, they were able to shield the area from any type of detection by conventional radar systems and satellite surveillance. This shielding allowed spacecraft to come and go without detection by creating an impenetrable funnel that the spacecraft traveled into to land at the site spaceport.

The entire site covered several thousand acres of wilderness and included a security force provided by the United States military. They military and senior officials understood this to be a retreat for high-level officials who were never, never to be disturbed. If the military ever got curious, the Council had set up a fake compound that could be spied upon to satisfy curious eyes. They had covered all the possible contingencies with no less than three fail-safe stopgap precautions for every possibility.

Everyone agreed with the idea of Earth's expansion out into space, but they also were convinced that a favorable reaction from the public regarding the UCDW being stationed on Earth was very doubtful, so they compromised. The Council would be here on Earth, but not announced to the public, not yet anyway. That would come sometime in the future, after Sarah had ingrained the idea into the public's head that expansion into space was self-sustaining and would make available tons of opportunities for jobs, save the planet's resources and ensure the future growth of the Earth's heritage and culture. Then there would be hints of other alien races. Then initial contact and from there…well, that would have to be seen. Edward would have to stay in office for as long as possible to carry out the plan to fruition.

Greg's stomach churned between nervousness and anticipation. Today was to be the first meeting of the Council, and Sarah and he were to begin their role as the co-leaders of the UCDW.

Sarah had returned late last night from her Washington Headquarters for Space Development. They snuck away from all the commotion of last minute details and discussed the demanding dual role that she had committed to. Greg selfishly tried to get her to change her mind, but it was what she wanted. She was totally dedicated and dove into her work with an insatiable appetite. They'd agreed that he would handle the day-to-day activities of the Council, while she worked on the space program concepts and marketing them to the American people.

Greg thought about Sarah and how their relationship had grown. He didn't think it would ever be possible to feel so much love toward one woman as he did for her. But both of them being realists, and having accepted enormous responsibilities, they knew that time together would become a very precious commodity.
I'll have to make up things to get her out here more often. Otherwise, she'll work herself to death. Besides, it will be nice to see her as much as possible.

His thoughts drifted to the curvature of her gentle face and the laugh that always made him smile. A knock at the door caused the image to fade.

"Come on in," he called.

Leumas entered, dressed in his own Council garb. Greg greeted him with a warm handshake. "Is it time?"

"Not yet, Greg, but soon," Leumas answered, eyeing Greg speculatively. "Nervous?"