Confrontation: Aliens and Humans. Allies and Enemies. (Space Fleet Sagas)
Page 32
Hadritak said, “We also have a religious crisis brewing. The arrival of non-terrestrials means the whole question of God and man has been revisited. All around the world, religious leaders are trying to maintain order. Is there a God? Do aliens believe in God? Loss of faith is a difficult enemy to fight. Religious groups are asking if aliens represent God, the devil, or something worse.”
Arcand continued from there. “We’ve had to keep the refugees in New Zealand protected. Space Fleet has been reassigning aliens off space ships and into no-fly positions on the platforms, or to Earth.”
“It isn’t just religions,” Hadritak said. “The UEC must react to what is happening with the general population. Over half of the Board of Governors have been replaced. The new governors expect Space Fleet to act more professionally, and become more of a system defense force. You must require Admiral Singletary to move in that direction. New screening methods must be enacted for any and all non-humans who associate with any of our military branches.”
“Active attempts to make contact with alien lifeforms needs to be postponed.” Arcand said.
“Delayed,” the Arab agreed. “There is more at play, Governor Arcand. We face a conflict of ideology and reality. The people want to become re-isolated from the galaxy. A majority believe Earth has been thrust into galactic political upheaval before we were ready. First contact occurred before anyone expected it to happen. Discovering we have hundreds of neighbors, and they were embroiled in a major war, is making people wonder who is right and who is wrong. We’ve taken the word of the refugees, but can we trust them? People, fearful people, believe Earth needs to take a step back. Spend more time learning what is out there, and then create policies. No more action without information.”
“Isolationism? How can we ignore what we have discovered? Aliens, good and bad, exist.” Arcand looked to the man from the Middle East for advice. For direction.
“I said a strange thing is occurring,” he reminded him. “Because of our successes fighting the Zenge, and the Mischene, some very influential people see Earth as a potential power-broker in the galaxy. Our superiority with space-fold travel, weapons, tactical planning, and now communications and technical advances leave some convinced we are a major player in the universe. In spite of our late arrival, we’ve arrived with the biggest stick.”
“Advances provided with the help of aliens,” Arcand inserted. “Fairchild found space-fold. We’re good at war. Earth has been at war with itself for hundreds of thousands of years. It’s a cottage industry. Communications and energy source advances came from Fell and Rys. What do we do about those relationships?”
“The UEC is putting them on the back-burner,” Hadritak said. “All agreements, alliances, treaties and compacts placed on hold. We will not maintain a force on Fell. All personnel will be recalled to Earth. Earth must look out for Earth first.”
“The pendulum will swing back,” Arcand said. “People are not stupid, just scared. Once they have time to calm down, and when all of the facts are presented, Earth will get back in the game.”
“And the threat represented by the Zenge and the Mischene? Do we wait for them to attack?”
“We will prepare to defend our solar system from an attack,” the Canadian declared.
“That is a good thing, Guy,” Hadritak agreed. Then planted the seed. “It would be a better thing If we also make plans to attack the Zenge, or perhaps the Aster System, first. If we must fight for Earth, it would be better done at a time of our choosing, where collateral damage will be theirs, not ours.”
“You may be right, my friend. Earth first.”
FIN ISLAND, VANCOUVER, CANADA
Daniel Cooper opened his eyes.
THE END
(6/16/16) ( 2/22/17)