Dawn of Hope- Exodus

by Dobrin Kostadinov

  The president smiled back and pondered over the possibility that that could well be true. No one knew what was in store next . . . The two men ate unbothered and after that conversation an idea concerning his place as a president and owner of Helios nestled deep into his mind. A devious plan that was yet to be hatched.

  Konrad failed to come to a decision during the dinner, as he was highly pressured by both sides. When he went back to his large, expensive apartment, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and settled into a big armchair. He lived all alone in that home as he had no children and he was long divorced with his wife. The German lit a cigar and took a sip from his drink, intending to retire into his thoughts in peace and silence. At first glance Konrad was a noble man with high morals and clear-cut objectives in life. But that was just on the outside. In his mind a few important matters came afloat like oil spills floating on the surface of a sea, covering and stifling everything lying underneath. And nothing but those things had any importance to him. He took his work seriously just as he did the decision on where the project was going to take place. But there was something more to him. Something that was as odd as it was rooted in self-interest . . .

  The megacompany he ran had to provide additional financing, the money directed at the place where everything that had been talked about over the past few months was to be implemented. The amount was not at all inconsiderable; that is why he was pressured by the heads of the two largest European bases. At first he called a meeting of the larger shareholders in the megacompany. Konrad was the major one, so when decisions had to be made, the scales tipped in favor of his assessment. Some voted “in favor”, others “against”, but the financing was to be provided on one condition. If everything was all right after exploring the new planet, its inhabitation by humans was going to be unavoidable because of the condition of our planet. The condition stated that only one company was to hold the right to buy and sell land on Menoetius. Thus, the shareholders were to attempt imposing themselves as the most powerful community not only on this planet but on the new one as well. And Radeberg would most probably become the wealthiest and most powerful man that had ever lived. They were going to obtain a license after concluding the negotiations with those who were to receive the money. That was going to be the greatest violation against people and their human rights. The basic human nature had proven it–if you give something to somebody, it is only logical to receive something in return, but was that what we deserved? It sounded somehow pitiful, but that was how the majority of people were hardwired–it was like a leech sinking its teeth into people’s virtues.

  While he was smoking his cigar with enormous pleasure, comfortably settled before the panoramic window that opened a fantastic view to whole of Berlin, he reached the following conclusion: he had to call a meeting for members of the two bases, plus a few other people of distinction. That seemed to be a smart move regarding his image as well. He was not going to feel pressured; besides he would select the people in such a way that they would make the decision that was best for him. The next morning he proceeded to calling the people concerned and organizing the meeting that was to specify that additional responsibility of his. He scheduled the meeting for November 27 and invited everyone personally. He arranged things so that an equal number of representatives of every base was to be present–ten from each party. The neutral parties invited –those who did not work for either of the two military establishments, or at least not at that moment, were Roman, his assistant Jean-Pierre Alléguié, also known as his right hand, and Konrad himself. Three persons on whom, more or less, depended the entire choice. The rest could express their opinions, too, but their main task was to provide motives and arguments why the project should be launched under their control. The three neutral parties had to hear the others out and take an independent decision after a prolonged debate. And so the moment of truth arrived.

  The meeting was held in one of the Helios’s halls. The magnificent building of gigantic proportions was impressive not only in its lower part where its base was more stable and solid but also in its last stories that literally scraped the sky. Its highest point, the tip of a satellite antenna, left a mark in the firmament. That phenomenon could be seen from dozens of miles away, perched on top of the largest and highest thing ever created by a human hand. The engineering achievement, more than a mile tall, towering over all else like a colossus of the contemporary technical progress could be seen by all citizens of the capital city. And all that was run by the person who owned the better part of the assets among the shareholders. It was hard, but not impossible for that evil genius who spent his youth dealing with astronautics and aeronautics and who was now advanced in years, a man nearing retirement . . .

  Konrad noticed that everyone gathered at the appointed time and place. They entered into the hall one by one and took the seats that corresponded to the nameplates placed on the rectangular table. Radeberg went over to the short side of the table so that everyone could see him. He took a demonstrative glance at each of the people present and buttoned the only button of his coat.

  ‘We have gathered today here, on my discretion, to decide on the location where “Probe” will be initiated. I have acquainted with the situation each and every one of you in advance, so I believe it won’t be necessary for me to start from the beginning. In short, I need reports, exposés, facts and information on the condition of each of the two bases–infrastructure, modernization, what sort of people work there. You have to inform me about everything without sparing me anything. The amount of the financial aid amounts to €860 billion, so you’d better stir yourselves.’

  It all started after he finished his speech. One after another the members began advancing arguments and theories, some good, others overstated, for where the money should go, but the truth was everyone was fighting to receive the hefty sum. Reports, information and what not, counterfeit here, authentic there which were not worth a single glance. Even the German himself discerned that. After exhausting the available information, there was nothing left to do but make the decision.

  ‘I’m thinking of ending the discussion and initiating the voting. Raise your hand if you agree; if not, that will be taken as an abstention. Let’s get down to work. Raise your hand if you’re in favor of Eisenhower.’

  Out of the twenty-three people present, thirteen hands went up, Radeberg’s including.

  ‘We have a majority decision from the start, but let’s vote for Thirteenth Russian Air Force Base.’

  The Russian base received only ten votes. Suddenly a voice came from somewhere in the back.

  ‘It’s been clear right from the start. Why did you even bother to call us here? It was all a hoax,’ chimed in, disgruntled, one of the ten Russians.

  ‘Why do you think it’s a hoax?’ the German countered. ‘I was the one who had to choose, but I presented you with the opportunity to come here and encouraged a discussion. I could’ve made the decision days ago and many of you would’ve been discontented anyway. I’m dismissing this meeting.’

  After all that farce the people began rising from their seats and leaving the building one by one, some dissatisfied, others not at all.

  The truth, though, was that it had all been decided in advance and Radeberg put it so that the German base took the majority of the votes. Still, the money had to stay in Germany. By inviting those particular people, he secured the support he needed. He wanted to make a one-man decision, but he had no interest in having something so important weigh on his conscience if anything went wrong although the odds were rather low. That was why he arranged the meeting in the way that suited him best and eventually his preliminary decision was confirmed without him having to take sole responsibility for it. After all, only the one providing the money could decide and the financing was to be made one way or another. After the end of the meeting, he summoned one of the men that had voted in favor of the German base.

  General Kalus Müller was the commander-in-chief of the German base. He was
a plant of the Americans who secured them the support of the Germans. The military power itself belonged not only to the Americans but to the Germans as well. In time the USA and Germany formed an military alliance that aimed at facilitating their mutual technological advance. Whether it was a matter of interests or not, they were working together shoulder to shoulder.

  ‘Hello, General Müller. Congratulations on winning the competition.’

  ‘Hello, Konrad. Thank you! You wish to speak to me I assume.’

  ‘Yes, that is right. Since it is already out there where the money is going–to the establishment run by you–I want to talk you about something, I am positive, would be of interest to you.’

  ‘I’m listening, Mr. Radeberg.’

  ‘Why don’t you come to my office. It is on the top floor. Such matters are to be debated in private.’ The president of the company, together with Klaus, entered the elevator and went up to his office, closing the door behind so as not to be disturbed. ‘Can I offer you a drink?’ politely asked the shareholder.

  ‘I’d like a glass of water, that’s all.’

  Konrad filled a glass with water, put in a few cubes of ice and a slice of lemon, then poured himself a little Scotch and invited his guest to sit at the desk.

  ‘I called you here to have a serious conversation with you. As you know, the financing is not for free and there are a few conditions you need to satisfy.’

  ‘Yes, I am aware of the conditions and the license you wish to obtain. We are doing our best regarding the matter. On our part, there is no problem, but the Russians, the Americans and the Chinese, in short those who built the spaceships for the exodus, are baulking at the idea and refuse to agree for the time being. I’m not certain if they can be talked into it despite the money that has started flowing from Helios for science and development all over the world,’ the General explained.

  ‘I’m not thinking about the rest, I am positive they will grow soft because they are in the middle of a crisis and there is no place else they can find so much money for exploring such a far-away planet. It will be German, we are first after all, are we not?’ Radeberg laughed lightly, always a radical nationalist, and continued, ‘They chose to work alone, they didn’t want anyone to meddle in their space projects, but the moment when they have to resort to us has come. They have always been looking from the outside in despite the fact that every now and then they have lent us their support. The resources you will receive directly from me will shoot you up and ahead, there will be no other technical analogue in any other base across the world . . . I summoned you for another reason, though. I have no doubts that my company will obtain the license from the UN and once that happens everyone will have to report to me. Every last bit of new land will belong to us and those who live on it will have to pay Helios a rent. I am looking at things in perspective, but I am a large-scale, forward thinker because I am sure that sooner or later we will live and procreate on Menoetius and I want to be economically stable there.‘ After that speech Konrad threw an arrogant glance out the window and took a sip from his Scotch. Müller knew that was not right, or rather it was totally wrong for so much power to be placed in the hands of unscrupulous people like Helios’s shareholders, especially in those of its founder, but there was nothing he could do.

  ‘All right, but since you already have it all clear, why exactly did you call me here?’ the General said puzzled.

  At that moment human greed and unscrupulousness were already operating at full force. Despite the licenses he had planned to obtain, Radeberg was after goals of his own, too. While he was considering where to launch “Probe”, he hatched something too ambitious, yet not impossible to carry out.

  ‘I’ve come up with a plan, but I need to know I can count on you. I want everything you’re going to hear to remain between us and these four walls. I take seriously everything I engage in, you see, I’m a perfectionist. I insist on the work starting as soon as possible, but I also have other, side plans.’ These words left Klaus speechless, he just nodded in agreement and the president went on. ‘With your help and that of a few of the shareholders we can appropriate some of the money that are to be transferred to the bank accounts of the base,’ the shareholder concluded, leaving the General completely shocked.

  ‘But how would we do that, someone will find out and we’ll go to prison for that,’ Klaus said indignantly, unable to believe what he had heard. ‘These are your own money, too, after all, why do you want to steal them?!’

  The president of Helios slowly approached his interlocutor and sat down on the corner of the desk, opposite him.

  ‘I want you to first listen to me. The money in not just mine, it belongs to all the shareholders in the company. I do not wish to seal it, it will still come to you, I just found a way to appropriate some of it while it’s being transferred and the other part will come back to me through the absorption under the program. That’s why I need your help. All you need to do is turn a blind eye and not initiate an investigation against the people making the transactions. You will be the one who will take care that the transactions look spotless at least on paper. If everything turns out all right, my offer for you is 10% of the money that vanish initially. This is my final offer,’ Radeberg concluded presenting exhaustively his scheme.

  ‘How much money will disappear?’ the General asked.

  ‘About €30 billion will evaporate on the spot. Look, I have a man who is well acquainted with computers. He has worked for the World Bank and he can falsify the data on every single server on the planet. You are expected to do only one thing: when you get the receipt and see how much the money is, you sign it and put a stamp “APPROVED” on it. Everything will be perfect on paper, but the picture in the bank will be different,’ the unscrupulous German said, beginning to untangle the threads of his plan.

  ‘I don’t think that will work out. Someone might get wind of it, besides the means should be spent down to the last cent. What will happen when the plan for buying materials worth of that sum is prepared and in the end it becomes clear that a few billion are simply gone? It will be hard to explain, don’t you think?’ The commander-in-chief raised his hands and clutched them at his head.

  ‘The disappearance of the money is just the beginning. It’s all well-thought-out. I’m not simply a shareholder in this organization. How do you think one becomes the greatest in such a company?’ Konrad said, a wide smile breaking across his face.

  Klaus looked at him in stupefaction and just shrugged. He did not know what to say so he just remained silent.

  ‘Here comes the answer: with much, really much money. There is no other formula. And that money I have acquired through my building material and aircraft construction factories. Mainly, I manufacture parts and materials that are used in astronautics and aeronautics. I am something of a monopolist in the field and I have no competition. Now, I believe, it all has become clear to you,’ Redeberg stated for the General, as the pieces started falling into place for Müller. ‘I will make you an offer about the materials and you will be the person who approves it. When you buy everything necessary for the mission, I’ll falsify the papers and cover the initial sum that disappeared so that no one will notice anything has ever been missing. After you have the falsified the receipt and put the seal on, you will reallocate the money and order what needs to be bought with them. Then comes my part. You approve my offer and buy all the machinery and the full equipment from me. The real price of the products will be much higher than the present one as I am artificially inflating the prices because of the crisis; it is clean and simple–no one gets to know and there is no harm done,’ Radeberg finished, laying out the details in a self-contented fashion, thus revealing probably the greatest money-laundering scheme ever made.

  The greedy Konrad was going to get not only the money from the scheme but perhaps everything else, too. His calculations showed that after the entire deal with buying the goods, after covering the expanses for materials and so on, more than half
of the money from the transfer would be left unused. About €440 billion pure profit. One last strike and he would settle on Menoetius as the wealthiest and most influential person in the entire Universe. Or so he hoped.

  ‘I have no idea what to say. I just don’t know,’ the officer said, overwhelmed and shaken by the words exposing what vicious deeds could be done behind the backs of the poor unsuspecting people. He still refused to believe what he had heard.

  ‘I failed to mention that if you agree to help me, you will get a piece of land on Menoetius without having to pay any taxes or rent. I think my offer is worth it. You have to give me an answer straight away and to promise me that no one will know about my plans,’ he smiled and waited for the answer of the General. Klaus was seized by the desire to stand up and slap hard the face of that greedy man and to arrest him, but in those difficult times it was worth giving it a thought, for he, too, had a family. In such a moment that offer could tempt anyone, therefore he was quick to give an affirmative answer, disrespectful as his choice was . . .

  ‘I accept. I’ll do it, but I want you to know this isn’t right. Answer me just one question: since you have so much means, why the need to gain more and more?’

  ‘Don’t you see what’s happening? These could well be our last days here and we need to be prepared as best as we can. The thirty billion will actually go to people like you who are willing to help me, but want to be paid something in advance. I could hardly do it all on my own. Money always comes handy, besides the capital I’ll obtain from the materials I’ll sell to your base will accumulate over time and in stages. In the meantime you’ll be doing your end of the bargain and buy materials from my firms while the preparation is still in progress. No one will notice a thing, I’m sure of it,’ said the owner of the megacompany, self-confident as usual.