“It’s good. But trust me, be honest. The public can sniff out deceptiveness; just tell the truth. Trust them with the truth; give them, hmm, give them the chance to be brave,” Mark responds.
Robert gives him a knowing nod and takes his seat. His two friends walk out of the office to watch from the adjoining room. It’s now just Robert and a few cameramen in the room. The camera flips red, signaling he is now live.
“Good evening. My name is Robert Wilson; you probably know me as the CEO of Arbor Ridge. It’s now been over two days since the alien ship first arrived; I know that can feel like an entire lifetime ago. In some ways, it is. You’re likely wondering why there is a light shooting out of my towers. Or why I felt so confident the moon wouldn’t be blown up. Well, tonight I asked for a few minutes to tell you. And I want to thank every network that is giving me the opportunity to do so.
“My goal to this point has not been to a choose a side in terms of whether we accept Anton Frozos’s terms by his deadline or decline them. I have an opinion, which I will share later. But my actions have entirely been focused on ensuring that you the people of this wonderful planet we all call home get to make the choice.
“Yesterday, I sought assurances at the White House that all national borders would be respected so that each nation and each person feels safe to offer their opinion, and I was glad when President Neverian made that assurance.
“Then, Admiral Tiberius attempted to coerce a decision out of us by threatening to destroy our moon. I am proud to say that it was Arbor Ridge who stopped that from happening. My company has developed a new technology, advancing well beyond our defense shield technology into force fields. In effect, we can put an impenetrable bubble around a planet. As you may or may not know, we have a research base on the moon that has nominally been used for space mining. In reality, it existed solely to house a force field projector. This morning, for the first time, I turned it on, and we saw it worked.
“After that, with the alien ship well outside our atmosphere, I decided to turn on Earth’s force field to keep the ship out. As you may know, my company for the last few years has been building twelve towers across the world, each with an identical purple spire. I had explained away this spire as a marketing symbol; in reality, these spires house the force field technology.
“Each of these towers is pumping magnetic energy nearly forty thousand miles above Earth’s surface, spreading out a net around the Earth. In addition to the twelve towers, Arbor Ridge’s marine research facilities in the middle of South Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans house spires of their own. These fifteen installations can keep us safe from foreign invaders for decades, potentially forever.”
Robert pauses for a moment to let news of this technological breakthrough sink in to his global audience. Of all his work on Earth and on Project Ridley, the force field gives Robert the greatest satisfaction and he had enjoyed showcasing it in such dramatic fashion today. He is confident Frozos’s military has no comparable weapon. The force field is his signature accomplishment, or so he believes.
Robert continues, “Of course, if these buildings were to be destroyed, the shield would cease to exist, which is why a force field similarly extends down from the spires, around the buildings. Unfortunately, the U.S. military attempted a raid on our Jersey City tower today, resulting in a heartbreaking loss of life. I wish more than anything that this had not happened, but I hope you understand why I placed a shield around my buildings.
“My purpose in turning on the force field is to ensure the public has adequate time to determine the next course of action. Turning them on is merely a defensive action that ensures continuation of the status quo. Frozos gave us three days to decide, but now, we may have longer because we are safe from invasion. Additionally, I have attempted to unilaterally take no provocative action as I do not aim to start a conflict; I do not have a right to do that.
“Let me also be clear. No government has any knowledge of this force field technology. I’ve shared it with no one, and sold it to no one. I generate no revenue from turning it on. Most employees at my company had no idea it existed; this was among my most closely guarded secrets. Let me also add that if any nation invades another, as has been a constant threat of the Chinese government, I will turn off the force field over your nation and you will fend for yourself.”
In reality, Robert could not do this—he could turn off a single spire to create a small hole in the shield, but he could not isolate a nation and keep everyone else protected. But he felt this bluff would be sufficient to avoid armed conflict between nations.
“You may ask how I was able to invent this technology. That requires a bit of explanation.
“For the past five years, I have been preparing for an alien invasion. Why? Because I am an alien. I was born to a family of mining slaves on a planet called Nayan. Due to high test results, I was put into a special program, a brainchild of Anton Frozos. After several years of training, we would be sent to a planet not yet under his control. Our job was to gain intelligence or influence to make it easier for him to take the planet over.
“I arrived on Earth in 2015 where I attended Yale—my background of being homeschooled in Wyoming a well laid-out fiction. I came to love this planet, particularly my new home of America. I was determined to never let happen to it what had happened to my home of Nayan. Much of my initial success came from replicating products that sold well in the League of Planets. That is why I was able to so quickly make technological innovation after innovation. The force field though is a genuine invention, I promise you.
“Earth is my adopted home, but I am not a human. That is why I’ve tried to avoid politics my whole life here, and why thus far, my efforts in this current crisis have been aimed solely at giving you the ability to decide for yourself. I hope you understand that.”
For a moment, Robert pauses, bringing the teleprompter to a halt. He decides he needs to speak more definitively.
“Personally, I believe accepting Frozos’s terms would be a terrible mistake. I’ve seen what he has done to other planets he has conquered. There is no such thing as peaceful coexistence. I will tell you that the force field is not the only new technology we have, and that our ability to win a fight is greater than many of our leaders have suggested. Finally, let me say this, there is never just one spy. I have strong evidence to suggest that other individuals of influence are either not human or are humans who have communicated with Frozos already.”
Having made this point more clearly, Robert returns to his prepared text.
“For now, what I promise you is simple: I will keep the force field on, and I will take no provocative actions against any alien ships or any human government. If you decide that you want to take Frozos’s offer, I will turn off that force field and that will be that. If, however, you decide to fight, that freedom is worth fighting for, and that one cannot be human without being free, know that I offer myself entirely and without reservation to your cause. In my life, I’ve encountered dozens of species of intelligent life. Mankind has its flaws, I assure you, but no species is as great as this one. Humans will fight over the pettiest of things when times are good, but when times are bad, your ability to rise to the occasion and will yourself to victory is unlike anything I’ve seen or studied.
“That is why Frozos has tried to quickly intimidate you into defeat. He doesn’t want to give you the chance to rise to the fight because he’s afraid you’ll win. You know from your own history you can never appease your way to peace and security. We aren’t doomed to a fate determined by some foreign species; we can write our own destiny, so long as we have the courage to pick up the pen and start writing. Thank you for your time.”
The camera light switches off. He’s off the air. Robert feels deeply unsatisfied. He wants to be much more explicit in naming names and urging a course of action. He finds sticking to a script to be stifling—he generally prefers to be more e
xtemporaneous, but Chris had prevailed upon him the importance of using very precise language in these remarks. He’d love nothing more than to blow up Tiberius’s ship—he is certain he could. But he had taken a vow. This was not his planet, and he would not determine the fate of seven billion people by himself. Even if his intentions were noble, that would be an indefensible course of action. He had come to believe stridently in the merit of self-government. On days like today, he did find it burdensome, but he isn’t prepared to sacrifice that principle. One can’t destroy freedom to preserve freedom, he had told himself. And so he worries that he had muddied his message, trying to have it both ways.
Mark and Chris, who walked back into his office, can sense he is displeased, and try to cheer him up. They heap him with praise, assuring him his message will be well received. Mark pulls out his phone and shows Robert an internal chat group for Arbor Ridge employees, which is filled with messages like “I trust Robert” and “So proud to be an Arbor Ridge employee.” Robert appreciates his friends’ steadfast support and loyalty, though he is anxious to see the response from the public at large.
Robert’s speech sends shockwaves across the world. Governments and citizens alike are left to wonder how many other aliens are on the planet. Can Robert be trusted to keep the force field up, or would he hold them hostage? Will the planet be like this forever? Fortunately, Robert has developed a reservoir of goodwill, in part aided by Neverian’s investigations, which had turned up no wrongdoing. Moreover, one in seven American households are directly or indirectly reliant on Arbor Ridge for their income. He had never done lay-offs and steadily raised pay. Within the United States at least, this provided him with tremendous credibility.
Across global capitals, people are filling up the streets, marching in solidarity with Robert’s message, chanting the great cries of freedom like, “Live free or die,” “We shall never surrender,” “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”
President Neverian sees one such demonstration as he looks down at the National Mall from the window of Marine One. With the threat of tsunamis having dissipated, he is able to return to the White House, leaving the Vice President in West Virginia. The Secret Service recommended they remain apart, and frankly, he was looking for an excuse to leave her behind.
Following Robert’s speech, there was near unanimity among world leaders that they should not accept Frozos’s terms by 6:00 PM tomorrow. Still, there was unease over the situation, as none of them knew how powerful the force field was or whether Robert would turn it off. Looking down at the crowd, a perfect idea hits Neverian; it’s so obvious, he thinks to himself.
As Marine One lands on the South Lawn, it is nearly 8:00 PM. Above the noise of the helicopter’s engine, the faint din of the marchers can be heard. He walks toward the West Wing as the typical throng of reporters await him. He is with his family, and urges them to walk ahead of him as he will be making brief remarks. He is glad that he freshened up on the plane ride from West Virginia—his hair, perfectly parted on the side, a clean white shirt, and a purple tie—it seemed to be the color of the hour after all (he didn’t own a purple tie and had taken it from an aide).
“Mister President, Mister President, what is your response to Robert Wilson’s speech?” the crowd of reporters shout.
“Good evening, I’ll make brief remarks. On behalf of a grateful nation, I wish to thank Mister Wilson for unleashing a force field both around the moon and our planet. I was as shocked as you all to see this technology in use. Normally, we bleed red, white, and blue, but right now, the color of the hour is purple.” Neverian smiles and points with both hands to his tie.
He continues, “Secured by his force field, the consensus of the international community at this time is that we will not accept Frozos’s demands by 6:00 PM tomorrow. How we proceed beyond that is still very much being debated. To that point, let me say that I was particularly moved by how strongly Mister Wilson spoke of the need for we the people to determine our own fate. While he is not an American, it’s clear that our ideals have influenced him greatly.
“To ensure that is the case, the people, not a singular man, should have control over the force field, for any one person, no matter how noble his intentions, can grow corrupt. We, of course, will rely on Robert’s technological know-how for some time, but my government, the government democratically elected by the American people, formally requests that Robert Wilson and Arbor Ridge turn over operational control of the Arbor Ridge force field, namely by granting access to the Los Angeles and Jersey City towers, by 9:00 AM Eastern time tomorrow morning. By doing this, Robert Wilson will provide a powerful example to the world of how important self-government and self-determination are. Thank you and God bless you.”
Robert clicks off the television. Seated behind his desk in his seventieth floor office, his shirt-sleeves are rolled up, his tie is off, and a half-eaten sandwich is off to the side of his desk.
Mark and Chris are with him as usual.
“That’s one smooth operator,” Mark gushes.
“I’ll be honest, I thought he’d have been more rattled. I didn’t see this one coming,” Robert concedes.
“So are we going to let them in tomorrow? If we do, the government of every country we have a tower in will want the same treatment,” Chris says.
“No, I can’t. Like you said, we can’t pick and choose which governments we give access, and if just one of these is turned off, there will be a hole in the shield, making us vulnerable to attack.”
“Well then, we keep them out. Maybe you disenchant the public as a hypocrite rather than an idealist, but as long as the force field stays up, that’s not a high price. Indeed, it is sometimes the noble thing to let oneself become the villain to protect the greater good,” Mark counsels.
Robert knows Mark can sense how deeply troubled he is and is desperately trying to find advice that can comfort him to make an unpalatable choice. “You’re right, Mark, if this status quo could last forever. But I fear there will come a time we need to fight Frozos head on, and if that day comes soon, I need lots of credibility.”
“Is the force field not impenetrable?” Chris asks, suddenly sounding scared.
“No, I believe it is. But we could be a planet under siege shortly. And I assure you, the largest military in the galaxy, perhaps the universe, is trying to find some way to force me to turn off that force field. We need to think about that eventuality. Why else do you think I’ve been building a space armada?” Robert runs his right hand through his hair, and scratches the back of his head. “There’s another option, but it’s just, it’s…”
“It’s what, Robert?” Mark pushes as Robert tails off.
“Let me ask you something. If you knew a truth that would solve this problem, but it’s so destructive it would cause greater problems, would you tell it?”
“Well, Robert, ask yourself, will you have to tell it at some point? If yes, then you may as well do it now,” Mark offers.
Robert turns to face Chris.
“Yes,” Chris says directly and emphatically to Robert.
“Why so sure?” Robert asks.
“Simple. I’ve known you, what, fifteen years? I know what the secret is. Tell it, and like Mark has said before, trust the public. I trust you, and they will too.”
“Thank you both. I’m not going to decide anything just yet. I don’t say this nearly enough, but I am so lucky to have you both as friends.”
With that, the friends say goodnight, and Robert heads into his elevator to prepare for tomorrow.
Chapter 9
Planet Nayan
Earth Year 2004
The planet Nayan is a small planet, only about half of Earth’s size. Life is relatively simple with a rural agrarian lifestyle. In addition, the planet is home to valuable mineral deposits that are critical for interplanetary space travel. These mines have helped turn Nayan into a relatively wealthy planet. T
he planet stays largely out of interplanetary politics, with inhabitants focused on their tribal lives. Every few months, great tankers come to purchase and ship out these minerals, in exchange trading new foods, technologies, and water.
Nayan is naturally a very dry planet, mostly consisting of an orange-colored clay, but the importation of vast water supplies has allowed life to move miles away from the few original major bodies of water. Nayans are hearty people and explorers, and a young Robert Wilson, whose native name is Marcus Natent, is a boy in a small rural community of about four hundred, about fifty miles from the nearest mine.
To an outside observer, communities like this might seem very simple. Homes are generally just four or five rooms and one floor, often with thatched roofs. Everyone seems to know each other by name. The schoolhouse is a small building up a dirt road. Marcus and his friends are in fact bicycling back from school for the day.
At about seven years old, Marcus attends the second grade, his schooling heavy in mathematics and less focused on reading or writing. His family lives in a small, thatched roof house towards the outskirts of town, about two miles down the main road from the school. The only child of two loving parents, his father had been a college professor who married his high school sweetheart. After giving birth to Marcus, they decided they wanted a slower paced life, moving to this farming village where his father taught high school mathematics and science classes. Normally, Marcus would ride home with his father, but his father is staying after school late to help a struggling student with quantum physics, and so Marcus is riding back home with classmates.
A closer observer would note that while life in this town may seem simple, the advancements of an interplanetary existence are apparent. The vast farming fields Marcus bikes past, that stretch until the horizon, are manned entirely by robots, for instance. The cash crop being farmed is a hearty, vitamin-rich vegetable, resembling in its composition an eggplant. Flying above the village are dozens of drones: delivering packages, being used for surveillance, and so forth.
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