Terra Nova

by David C. Garland

  ‘Very well,’ answered Richard, encouraged by the President’s encouraging response. ‘It is indisputable that the world’s efforts to tackle global warming are minuscule and have achieved nothing of any consequence. The Kyoto Protocol, for instance, is viewed by the major industrial nations of the world as an important first step towards a truly global emission reduction regime. It is intended to stabilise green house gas emissions and provide the essential architecture for any future international agreement on climate change. While it is a notable achievement to have received the backing of so many nations, the result has been nothing less than abysmal. ’

  Weinberger and Hunter stared at Clifton, expecting him to issue a strong rebuke. He returned their stares without comment. Richard appeared unconcerned and carried on speaking after a brief pause.

  ‘The end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is 2012. A new international framework must be negotiated and ratified, one that can deliver the most stringent emission reductions far, far in advance of anything agreed so far. If this is not done, there will be no future for any living thing on Earth. ’

  President Clifton was now leaning forward in his chair, looking decidedly unimpressed.

  ‘I hear you Mr. Moss but, to be honest, thus far you have said nothing that I do not already know or agree with. ’

  Richard also leaned forward.

  ‘Mr. President, it may be too late already. The warning signs are clearly evident each and every day. Famine, war, pestilence and death are the biblical cleansers of the world, turning man against man, and nature against man. Famine is rife in third-world countries. Wars are occurring somewhere on Earth every day. Pestilence is rife in many countries with new strains of killer diseases taking their increasing daily toll. ’

  ‘War will remain as long as there are those who wish to fight. Famine will continue to cause thousands of deaths as it has for countless years. Disease will remain in the bodies of every cell that exists in one form or another, despite the work of scientists or doctors to eradicate it. And there is no cure for death; it simply is, and always will be.’

  Neither Arlene Weinberger nor Alan Hunter had uttered a word. Hunter’s scientific training and background had been used to utmost effect in the original Kyoto negotiations, consequently his interest level was at its peak, since he was very aware that the world’s efforts to tackle global warming were, at best, apathetic and at worst, useless. He knew that uncontrolled carbon emissions from countries such as China and India, alongside that of the United States of America, were largely responsible for the problems facing the world. His eyes locked on Richard. Before speaking he cleared his throat.

  ‘Mr.Moss,’ he said, unconcealed sarcasm evident in his voice. ‘All you’ve had to say thus far is well documented. Almost every politician and scientist would agree that much more has to be done. What you have yet to reveal is your God-given plan to reverse the problems we are facing. Wasn’t this the sole reason for your abduction to Terra Nova?’

  The inflection in Hunter’s voice made it clear he was one, among many, doubters in the President’s cabinet.

  ‘I was not abducted Mr Hunter,’ answered Richard firmly. ‘Although I admit I thought so at the time. But then, once I had the opportunity to see first hand what conditions were like on Terra Nova, it was made clear to me that I was not selected at random but, rather, because of my origins.’

  ‘Your origins?’ queried Hunter, eyebrows crunched together.

  Richard remained unperturbed.

  ‘Yes, my origins. It was made clear to me that I am originally from Terra Nova and was placed on Earth as a new-born for a very specific purpose!’

  Weinberger also raised sardonic eyebrows while Hunter snorted in disbelief. Clifton glared at them in silent admonition.

  ‘Mr. Moss,’ said Clifton. ‘I assure you I am not questioning anything you have said. So please, carry on; we are here to listen and learn!’

  Richard nodded his thanks and adjusted his posture before continuing.

  ‘My time spent on Terra Nova was unequivocal in that it demonstrated how the Earth’s original inhabitants learned from their ancestor’s mistakes and steadfastly refused to repeat them again. There are no motor vehicles, no fossil fuels to pollute the atmosphere, no greedy, disreputable bankers filling their pockets at other people’s expense. Terra Nova’s seas are abundant with plankton, which means all forms of marine life is expanding rather than retracting as is happening on Earth. The stark fact is, unless radical action is taken now, Earth will be destroyed by the same series of consequences as those which destroyed the original.‘

  President Clifton shook his head.

  ‘Richard,’ said the President, using Moss’s given name for the first time. ‘Tell me, please explain to me, the extent of the powers extended to you by, correct me if I get this wrong, a deity known as The Creator. What could he have endowed you with that can be of any use in solving the countless problems facing us here on Earth?’

  He paused, eyes fixed upon Richard.

  ‘Frankly,’ continued Clifton. ‘I have heard nothing so far which gives me any reason to continue with this meeting. I, and the rest of the world, were very impressed when you arrived to such great fanfare on Earth. The impact made was astonishing but, as of now, I am somewhat disappointed. I feel let down. There appears to be little of value to be gained from continuing this meeting unless you are able to provide me with something more substantial, more compelling, more impactive.’

  Richard paused for some seconds before answering.

  ‘Mr. President. I have been assigned many powers by The Creator but, at this moment, I will only reveal the most important one.’

  He paused again, eyes fixed on the President.

  ‘I have been given the power to persuade!’

  ***

  Julia and Alexander Brownstone are alone, and seemingly forgotten, in the wake of Richard Moss’s quest to rouse the world from a languid sleep walk to disaster. Julia thought this situation inevitable but, nonetheless, she felt lonelier now than during the terrible period when Richard had disappeared without trace. She had resigned herself to life without him and became comfortable with the attention of well-meaning family members and friends. Unfortunately, now that Richard is back on Earth, the world’s attention is focussed upon him and the only friend who visits regularly is Emily Moss.

  Alexander, meanwhile, is into his second year at the local primary school, a ten minute walk from the flat where he has matured into a confident, bright little boy. His two best friends at school, Ava and her twin brother Jamie, rarely leave his side during play periods. They can be seen chasing each other around the playground, laughing and screaming with delight. The trio appear inseparable and it seems as if nothing could possibly come between them. But a change has taken place. Since Alexander’s father began appearing on television, the reaction from Ava, Jamie and many of the other children in the school has become noticeably frosty. Whispered taunts about his father’s actions have reached Alexander’s ears but, so far, he has ignored them, until today when he accidentally overheard Jamie speaking to a boy in the playground during the lunchtime break.

  ‘His dad’s in America, talking to all them posh people, pretending he knows everything about everything. But I think he tells big fibbers. Stupid flying saucers and all that rubbish, he’s just making things up. And Alexander pretends he knows all about it, but he doesn’t...’

  The clenched fist Alexander aimed at Jamie’s jaw would have been painful had it landed where intended. Luckily it only brushed Jamie’s cheek but, nonetheless, it caused him to react in kind. His fist connected plumb on Alexander’s nose. A trickle of blood spurted from one of his nostrils and covered his lips. The entire playground came to a halt as someone yelled “There’s a fight.”

  Alexander and Jamie were now wrestling on the tarmac, arms
wrapped around each other, being urged on by the shouts of dozens of excited children. Two teachers, one male, one female, suddenly appeared.

  ‘Stop, stop it now!’

  Joe Adkins, the male teacher, reached down and pulled the two boys to their feet. Blood was now splattered on their faces and shirts.

  ‘What was that all about?’ he asked abruptly, confronting the two boys. ‘At your age you should know that fighting solves nothing’.

  Christine Sansbury, the female teacher, shock evident on her face said, ‘You should be ashamed of yourselves. Come with me and get cleaned up before your mothers come to take you home.’

  She frowned, a question imminent on her lips.

  ‘I thought the two of you were friends! Why were you fighting?’

  Alexander was the first to answer.

  ‘He said my daddy tells lies and me, he said I tell lies as well. And it’s not true because daddy has done what he said. Jamie was being really rude and nasty.’

  Jamie said nothing. His mouth was turned down at the corners, giving the appearance of a forlorn clown. He began to cry.

  Miss Sansbury took hold of his hand and then grasped Alexander’s. She led the two boys towards the school building. As they were about to enter the open double doors she stopped and spoke to them, firmly but softly.

  ‘I think you should say sorry to each other. Come on now, who’s going to be first?’

  Jamie looked at Alexander, unsure what to expect. He gulped before answering.

  ‘I’m sorry Alexander.’

  He received a tenuous half smile.

  ‘Me too, I’m sorry as well.’

  Chapter Sixty Seven

  The United Nations Security Council is sitting in emergency session. President Clifton decided to convene a meeting of the five permanent and 10 non-permanent members, in spite of harbouring serious doubts about Richard Moss and his claim to have the means to save Earth. Nevertheless, whether his claim was spurious or not, no one could ignore the fact that Moss had traveled to and returned from a planet located in a distant galaxy; the first human being unequivocally proven to have completed a journey so incredibly astonishing that the world was still having difficulty in coming to terms with it. This single fact alone was sufficient reason for him to be invited to address the fifteen most important world leaders; a unique gathering that has the authority to make binding decisions which all other member governments of the UN have to obey and put into practice.

  The timing of the meeting could not have been more perfect. The world appeared to be on the brink of Biblical Armageddon. North Korea’s unprovoked bombardment of Yeonpyeong is being viewed as a forerunner to something far more invidious; verified reports of surface-to-surface nuclear weapons being prepared has cast black, ominous storm clouds over South Korea, the United States and her allies. China has been persuaded to act as peacemaker but thus far nothing of any consequence has been reported. Russia is sitting on its hands in the background, assessing which way the dangerous game will be played, with Prime Minister Putin, as ever, thinking only of Russia and how the stand-off can best be utilised to serve its nationalistic interests. The world is on an extremely perilous course, similar to that which existed after World War ll when a bitter cold war existed between the USSR and Western nations. Back in the late 1940’s and for the next 40-odd years, world-wide nuclear war was a calamitous possibility on a daily basis. It took the courage and wisdom of Mikhael Gorbachov, the USSR’s President in the late 1980’s, to introduce perestroika, a master stroke which eventually led to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of East and West Germany.

  Richard, after being introduced personally to all of the fifteen members, took his appointed seat at a desk positioned in the gap left by the horseshoe arrangement of desks occupied by the members, their advisors and assorted assistants. On his highly polished desk was a microphone, a notepad, a ball point pen and a telephone. His thoughts wandered to the time when he was happy, comfortably involved, in the information technology business at Alcan Enterprises in Ambridge Wells.

  How my life has changed, he thought. Look at me now, about to make a presentation to fifteen of the most important people in the entire world! Meeting President Clifton at the Oval Office was intimidating but this is fourteen times worse. Come on, pull yourself together, they’re only human beings after all, so it’s up to me to convince them that massive, rapid changes are imperative if the Earth is to survive. The Creator will only intercede positively if He sees every country, every government, each and every citizen on Earth taking the necessary measures to stop this insane drift towards extinction. It is in everyone’s interests to address and change the way we think politically, financially, climatically, moralistically, and religiously.

  Richard’s thoughts were interrupted by the President of the Security Council, Pierre Lacoste, who was on his feet, gently tapping the microphone situated on his desk.

  ‘Mesdames et Monsieurs,’ he began, his dulcet voice exuding authority. ‘Votre attention s’il vous plait.’

  Translators, seated behind the huge window of an office overlooking the conference room, began preparing for their task. The other fourteen representatives, their advisers and secretaries, looked up expectantly as Lacoste switched to immaculately accented English.

  ‘I am sure you are all aware of the reason we are gathered here today in emergency session? Mr. Richard Moss,’ he pointed towards the isolated desk. ‘Claims he has the means, and the authority, to bring massive change to the world; change which, in his opinion, must be implemented by every nation otherwise oblivion is all we have to look forward to.’

  He paused and motioned for Richard to begin his address.

  ‘Please allow Mr. Moss to speak without interruption.’

  ***

  ‘Members of the UN Security Council, I would like to thank you for accepting my request to attend this propitious meeting. I am proud to be addressing the permanent members of the Council representing some of the most powerful and influential nations on Earth; China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Also present are representatives from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey and Uganda; a formidable gathering of fifteen nations representing over two thirds of the population of the entire world.’

  Richard paused, picked up a glass filled with sparkling water and sipped it slowly. He put the glass down and glanced at his notes.

  ‘I am here at the behest of The Creator, the one true God, He who gave succour to those who fled the first version of Earth when it also faced its Doomsday.’

  A series of angry murmurs, emanating from a mix of many languages, caused Richard to pause. Pierre Lacoste rose to his feet.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please allow Mr. Moss to continue without interruptions. It is in our best interests that he be allowed to make and finish his presentation without being distracted.’

  Richard nodded his thanks towards Lacoste and continued.

  ‘South Korea held live firing drills today, despite threats of war from North Korea. This situation could escalate into all-out nuclear war, with the fall out from such a conflict affecting every nation on Earth. Why are heinous situations such as this allowed to occur when the road to peace is simply a meeting of open minds? I make reference to this from a non-professional standpoint. But those professionals who stand in support or condemnation of the situation must dispense with their own nationalistic interests and think only how the entire world can become involved, if a halt to this madness is not agreed. Representatives here, those from China, Russia, France, the USA and the UK have a duty to reach agreement... ’

  The scraping noise of a chair being thrust back drowned Richard’s words.

  Lee Cui, China’s representative, was on his feet.

  ‘Nobody has the right to incite or pro
voke conflict or war,’ he said. ‘And nobody has the right to make the people on both sides of the Korean peninsula shed their blood. China has always maintained that peace and stability must be maintained between North and South Korea. No matter what the differences or disputes, only dialogue and negotiations must be used to solve issues such as this.’

  Richard clapped his hands at what he perceived as a major shift in policy from China which, in the past, had supported North Korea staunchly, even to the point of ordering its army to push back allied forces when North Korea was about to be defeated in the Korean war of the 1950’s. Richard’s excitement was evident as he began to speak again, his voice tremulous.

  ‘This is exactly what I am proposing; a meeting of minds; minds that are unpolluted by politics, history, self-interest or anything which will cause disharmony. I urge all of you to reach agreement, now, as a sign that harmony can reign, even in the most tenuous circumstances.’

  There was a definite, discernable sense of change taking place throughout the chamber. It was as if years and years of divisive partisanship had been swept away by an unseen hand. Even the hyper-critical US representatives, Arlene Weinberger and Alan Hunter, were sitting up, paying close attention. President Clifton wore a half smile on his rugged features. It was difficult to understand how a few, simple, words from Richard Moss had accomplished something that years of bellicose argument, dire threats, hard bargaining, militaristic action and nuclear posturing had failed to achieve.

  The Creator’s power of persuasion appears to be operating at full throttle, thought Richard. I didn’t expect any significant changes this early in my presentation but I’ve actually got them listening. Now’s the time to seize the moment!

  ‘I appeal to everyone here, in the name of The Creator, to move swiftly towards resolving all the problems besetting our world. There is only one opportunity and you must not, I repeat, you must not fail to grasp it before it becomes irretrievable. There in no doubt the Earth has a future, but it is up to you to determine whether it will be short-lived or whether it will stretch into the next millennium and beyond. The Creator has pledged His unequivocal support through me. I stand here, ready to do whatever is necessary, to help bring about the changes swiftly, effectively and permanently.’