“This way.” George wonders if these men are hearing the metallic sounding voice of the guard as he speaks. “You will come with us; the Regent is expecting you.”
George is prepared for the heavier gravity and foul, soupy air as he steps from the shuttle. The other three are not. They struggle to maintain dignity as they gag and stumble across the deck. Sharz and George lead the procession, with the four guards bringing up the rear.
“You should not be here, stupid lap dog.” A voice hisses from behind George.
Turning, George looks the Chinese president in the eye as he responds with disdain. “Sirs, you would all do well to watch what you say here.”
“You understand Mandarin.” The Chinese president is caught totally off guard by this.
George does not reply as he suddenly realizes that the device in his ear is, indeed, a very effective translator. He did not realize that the Chinese leader had spoken in anything but English.
Soon enough, the group finds themselves on the bridge, where all of the viewing windows are covered, or closed, or off, George cannot tell. He hangs back as Sharz presents the three Presidents to the Regent. At the sight of this formidable looking creature, all the bravado present on the trip here, vanishes immediately.
The Regent’s green skin undulates as he studies the smaller humans before him. “I am Regent Voknor of the Gamin. This is my domain.” With a single sweeping gesture from his arm all the screens come alive showing the picturesque view of Earth below them. The forequarters of the spacecraft seem to stretch on forever, adding to the diminutiveness of the planet below. The space nearby is dominated by at least a dozen other Gamin spacecraft.
“Let us eat.” The Regent states, clapping his hands and staring at his three special guests.
The American and Russian presidents stiffen at the words, causing the Chinese leader’s attitude to wane as he reads the body language of his fellow human beings. Moments later, tables and chairs are brought out, followed immediately by various food offerings from below.
As the three leaders sit at a table, the Regent strides throughout the room. Sharz takes a seat at a different table. George glances back and forth and then joins him.
The Regent addresses George. “Sit with your kind, if you desire. That is, if these arrogant people would have you at their table.”
George looks back and forth once more, and, with stark realization, understands only too well what has transpired. He is more welcomed and comfortable sitting with an alien, than at a table of his own people. Was this all a plan, too? George feels as though he has been played, but a part of him has to consider other possibilities.
Regent Voknor struts to the view screen again, and, as he stares at the blue planet below, starts his speech with an air of practice. It is almost as if he has said these very words many times in the past. “Your bold and futile actions have caused the deaths of many of your kind. This foolishness will cease immediately. You have been playing games, and these are costly games with regard to your people. Perhaps you would take their places, but I think you are more willing to issue orders than to actually do anything that would put your own lives at risk.”
The Regent slowly walks over to the three leaders, and with a wave of his clawed hand, he continues. “George wishes to save those I have captured. He says that you are at fault, not those that follow your orders; perhaps you should be punished in their place?”
At the mention of his name, the three leaders look over at a now very subdued George. The Regent then stares at each of the leaders before him. None have the courage to speak, or perhaps they have the wisdom not to. In either case, silence fills the room.
Regent Voknor slowly heads toward George and, while taking food samples from his table, continues. “They will be freed, but do not take me for a fool. Any action taken against us, or our friends, will be dealt with very harshly.” Regent Voknor is looking straight at George as he mentions friends.
Pointing at the Chinese president, the Regent continues his speech. “You are here to see that I do not tolerate subterfuge.” The Chinese leader blanches.
Another Gamin enters the room and struts toward the Regent. With a bowed head, he waits for permission to speak. There is no metallic sound to the newcomer’s voice. Sharz looks up sharply at George, his eyes have narrowed into vertical slits. George, being a short distance away, can only make out some of the words. “... Scans... Leave... Found... Discovered... Ready... “
He acts as though he hears nothing, but he is listening as intently as possible. George adds food to his plate, and silently offers a meat sample to Sharz, whose eyes return to normal as he takes some.
Returning to his throne-like chair, Voknor sits, and the three claws on each hand tap the end of the arm rests. Addressing the room, Regent Voknor continues. “You are to increase the shipments of all materials. You are dismissed, humans.”
So, just like that, the meeting is over with the three Presidents never having uttered a word. This is completely contrary to the plans they had concocted on the journey to this meeting. The three leaders all appear as though they wish to speak. George watches as they look at each other, the Regent, and even his way. They are quite agitated, but remain quiet.
Sharz heads to their table, and looks at the nervous people before him. “Follow me,” is all Sharz says as he turns to leave the bridge.
The leaders, their eyes darting around, stand and follow the fast retreating Gamin. George rises, bows slightly to the Regent, and then follows the group. To his surprise, he finds that he is trailing the guards. Am I really that well trusted? He wonders.
George says nothing to Sharz as they arrive back at the main hangar deck. The quiet trip back has the shuttlecraft returning the three Presidents and George back to their rightful places. None of the leaders speak to George, but they do whisper quietly to each other.
Sharz returns George last and says. “Good night, George.” He studies him quite intently one more time before finally departing.
“Night, Sharz.” Is all that George can muster as he watches the retreating shuttle with a twinge of sadness. He is at a loss for words.
George does not know what to do. He deliberates over the few words he caught, giving him information that he is not supposed to have. With new uncertainties about to befall them, he wonders about not only his fate, but that of all humanity. He heads quickly to his quarters, as he is sure Lisa is worried sick about him.
Location:
Manhattan Island
New York
After filling his wife in on most of the events from the trip to the Regent's ship, they retire to bed. As George lies there, he looks around the room and ponders his next actions. An idea comes to mind; he will take his family into the city in the morning. He must tell his wife what he has heard, but he cannot do that here, in this room. He also wonders about his situation as sleep finally claims him. Is he a collaborator, an alien sympathizer, or a hero to the people? He dreams about the many possibilities opening up for humanity and he envisions a fanciful fate for humanity.
The morning news shows the three Earth leaders all expressing great joy at the privilege of dining with Regent Voknor, the leader of the Gamin. There is no news of sailors being rescued, nor any mention of George. The American President does make a great deal of being transported to Washington D.C. from NORAD by the Gamin; he is billing it as a special trip to see the alien’s flagship.
George just shakes his head at the screen, as his family gets ready to head out to for a great day in New York City. Exiting the Gamin quarter is as easy as walking across the bridge. The three of them walk hand in hand, with Johnny skipping between them. A few anti-Gamin hecklers are nearby, but they do not harass the three of them as they pass. Putting recent events behind them, the Stanton family begins to enjoy walking the city streets. Though the city has not fully returned to normal, the streets are still quite crowded.
Entering a small shop, a little bell jingles overhead, reminding George
of simpler times. Inside the shop, he hugs his wife close as he whispers words she is not expecting. “The Gamin are leaving, and I think sooner than they expected. What will become of us?”
His wife, with their son in tow, smiles at her man as she quietly says. “You are a good man George. Let us enjoy this day. Tomorrow will come soon enough and then we will see.”
They travel from shop to shop, and though many are still closed, there are still plenty that are open for business. The family finds themselves visiting many stores as they enjoy a peaceful day out. George is finally able to truly relax for the first time in ages. The family enters a clothing store, and begins to browse its wares.
The explosion is as sudden as it is deafening. Inside the store, George grabs his wife and son, and throws them to the ground away from the large storefront window. A split second later it implodes, showering the area where they were just standing with thousands of glass shards. People outside are screaming, some are hurt, and some shriek from fear alone. Many people are now running away from the source of the explosion, and most bear some form of injury.
A man on the street shouts in total terror. “The aliens are attacking us!” He runs off terrified, believing his own words.
George cannot believe it. Staggering to the doorway, he looks out and sees a massive dust cloud rising from somewhere near the Gamin quarter. George can see that their day’s walk has brought them around in a full circle, putting them within a couple of blocks of the source of the explosion. He goes back to check on Lisa and Johnny.
With his ears still ringing, George tries to calm them both. A voice in his ear startles him. “Stay where you are George. A transport will collect you and your family.”
Mere moments later, a Gamin craft lands outside the damaged store, and its ramp opens. George and his family board the small craft, much to the surprise of many onlookers.
At some point during the spectacle, shouting can be heard. “Collaborators!” “Alien lovers!” Some even yell, “Take me with you!”
George makes sure Lisa and Johnny are comfortable in the plush seats before going forward. He sees the distinct features unique to Sharz, and nods to him. As the craft banks away from the damaged area, he looks down and sees a lot of carnage. One of the bridges leading toward the rail interchange has been destroyed, and debris from it is still falling into the churning waters below. The front of an ore train hangs precariously over the edge of this ravine, its driver nowhere to be seen. The injured and the dead litter the streets in all directions. All manner of vehicles can be seen headed to the area. The mix of police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and various Gamin craft, fascinates George. Looking back to Sharz, he cannot make out any expression. As the craft banks around again, George can see the rooftops of nearby buildings with people lying motionless upon them. There is also some writing on the roofs, but he is unable to discern what the painted letters say.
“Thank you for getting my family, Sharz.” George is extremely grateful, especially upon seeing the area of devastation below.
“You are most welcome, George. I do not want to see you or your family hurt. Very few foreigners impress me, George, but you are one of them.” Sharz is sincere in his words.
Arriving back at their quarters, George is torn between staying with his family and helping those outside. After making sure his family is safe, he makes a difficult decision. “I have to help; I can't just stand by and do nothing.”
Lisa, hearing the distress in his voice, cannot help but feel admiration for her man. “Go, but please be careful.”
Walking toward the spaceship, George feels exposed and unsafe. Glancing back at the damaged area and beyond, there is a lot of activity. A gunshot rings out, and he flinches, but keeps walking. The sound of more gunfire fills the air, as police and militia return fire at some unseen threat. Stoically walking onward, he recalls the day his suit was hit by a bullet. He is still a long way from his destination when he spots a tracked Gamin vehicle coming toward him at high speed. The vehicle stops and blocks his way. The side doorway opens, and there stands a Gamin that George does not recognize. They stare at each other for a moment, then the Gamin motions for him to get inside.
“Where are you going?” Demands the Gamin as George sits down.
“I want to get into my suit and help!” He replies with his usual open honesty.
The Gamin scoffs as he accelerates the vehicle, “Your suit, indeed. You’re Sharz’s pet, not mine. Do you not value your life?” George can see that they are getting further away from the spacecraft, not closer.
“I just want to help the injured and fix the damage. I despise terrorists and their activities.” Without knowing it, George has let quite a bit of anger enter his voice.
The vehicle stops, and the Gamin stares at George for many long seconds. “I can see why Sharz likes you. Very well, it's your life; I will take you to collect a suit.”
George makes good time in getting to the destroyed bridge. He works a section alone for a while, but is soon joined by others. Working alongside these newly arriving suited individuals, he is not sure if his coworkers are human, nor does he care. As more suited workers join in, he cannot help but feel patriotic due to the waves and salutes from his compatriots. With the area getting busier, he looks through the faceplates of those near him. He can see people and Gamin working together, which fills him with great pride as they are not letting the terrorists win. He stops for a second as is it dawns on him that the suits belonging to the Gamin are not only larger, but have differences in design. With no time to further ponder this, he returns to the task at hand.
They work hard, absorbing damaged portions, and crafting new sections. Slowly, they make progress, working together as a cohesive team.
The news that night reports the bombing incident as a calamity. Dozens of people are dead, hundreds injured, and damage to the area into the tens of millions of dollars. Video footage shows the strange mix of human and Gamin vehicles as they work to clear, and then repair, the damaged area. The reporters talk about the impact this terrorist attack could have on relations with the Gamin. Long after the media crews have gone, the mixed group of humans and Gamin continue to work on, tirelessly repairing the damage. Soldiers arrive and secure the area, keeping curious onlookers at bay.
The morning rays of sunshine reveal to New Yorkers, the amazing sight of the ore train, once hanging so precariously, now unloading at the spacecraft. The entire bridge, including the rail line, has been completely restored. Military personnel are now stationed at every bridge in the huge city of New York. Heavily armed soldiers walk beats with police armed in riot gear. SWAT teams secure numerous rooftops around the city. New York City is effectively under martial law, even though no official announcement has gone out. All the while, the people responsible for this terrorist attack are nowhere to be found.
The city’s mayor and the governor of New York give short speeches about catching those responsible. The presidential speech that follows also talks of finding those responsible, as he gives a long-winded dialogue about the effects of terrorism.
Dr. Lee is very busy at the morgue, he reviews each body and assigns their cause of death. For many, he consigns the category of 'unknown projectile wound.' He sends a report to the two detectives, but doubts they will do anything more than file the information away.
The days come and go, and make George wonder if he correctly heard the goings on when he was on the Regent’s spaceship. 'Soon' does not even mean the same amount of time for cultures on Earth, but is 'soon' a day, a week, or longer, for these Gamin? While he thinks about this, he and many others, spend their time making armor plates and various other metallic sections. Trains roll into the rail interchange with increasing regularity. This keeps the Gamin ground vehicles busy day and night.
Having finished for the day, he finds himself re-examining the truly massive spacecraft that has made Manhattan its home. Walking beneath it, he sees no sign of damage, though he cannot recall exactly when
it was all repaired. This, added to what he heard on the bridge a few days ago, causes him to look toward the distant cloudy skies. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation he wonders what is in store for humanity next. So, Regent Voknor, how long is 'soon' for the Gamin? And, what did you find? Or, have you been found? With growing concern, he ponders all of these things as he walks home.
Chapter Nine - The Long Goodbye
Location:
Forest area west of Clamart
Paris, France
The New York terrorist attack created waves of activity, reaching as far as Paris. Police and military personnel attempt to secure the city against any potential threat. Radclyf's team has laid low following their own recent endeavors, and awaits further instructions.
For three days, the team stays in their rooms, only venturing out to eat or to meet and discuss their agenda. The third evening sees a commotion in the hotel’s foyer. With caution, Radclyf investigates, and finds people talking excitedly and pointing outside. Being unable to put together what is going on, he steps outside to see firsthand. His senses are assaulted by a powerful hum, mixed with an odd vibration that washes over his entire body. There in the sky, rising up and away, is an alien spacecraft. Nearby, people are transfixed by what they are seeing and feeling.
Stepping back inside, Radclyf spots a television displaying a news flash. It shows a reporter pointing at the spacecraft in the skies near him as he holds a microphone. Unable to make out the reporter’s words, he quickly heads back to his room. His team is there with Peter, and they are expecting him. They turn to the television and watch this new development. Sure enough, the spacecraft that was in Paris has taken off. Cameras follow its departure as it heads upward and into space. The ground where it had been sitting had compressed under the craft’s immense weight. The depressions, where some of the landing struts rested, are almost three feet deep. Peter watches as Jim switches from channel to channel, finding reporters scrambling over each other for the best story.
Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles) Page 20