by Tim Blagge
“Bill, Rolf, Jerry, it’s been a long day.” Stella added “We started with dinner at Pops’ house, survived an all out attack by a small army, traveled thousands of light years through space and are launching a huge campaign for the defense of Velador. I hope that tomorrow will be a little less eventful! I’m going to work a few more hours with Chancellor ‘B’ and plan for tomorrow’s meeting with the CEO’s. Go get some rest.”
-Chapter 5-
When Jerry and I arrived at our new residence, we found everybody sleeping. Joanna and Brenda were in one bedroom, Pops and Grandma in another and the third bedroom was empty. The apartment was similar to the units we have on Earth. In addition to three bedrooms, there was a large living area and a small but well equipped kitchen.
“Jerry we haven’t slept in the same room since we were kids and those sleepovers ended when we were about nine,” I said.
“I think the girls are making a statement,” Jerry said. “I was hoping that Earth’s morals wouldn’t count on Velador. It would be like a hanky panky free pass.”
“Keep dreaming Jerry, even though I do like your line of thinking,” I added. “So it looks like we are stranded here on good old Velador and Stella has roped us into heading up her planet’s defense. How does that make you feel General Smith?”
“General Smith?” Pops said as he came out of his room rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“Pops, I’ve got news for you too.” I said. “You are the new Veladorian head of manufacturing assigned to build their space craft. And to get your skills upgraded into the twenty-fifth century or whatever eon it is here, they are going to do some kind of ‘mind meld’ on you and electronically stuff the necessary knowledge into that mature brain of yours.”
“Bill, don’t these people know I’m retired?” Pops remarked.
“They know,” Jerry said, “but I think you should consider their offer Pops. I doubt you could get your retirement check forwarded to Velador and you might need some money to live on.”
“Okay my favorite pair of smart asses, what the hell is going on,” Pops demanded to know.
Jerry and I proceeded to fill Pops in on the dire situation on Velador and that Stella and Rolf, pending World Council approval, had been selected to head the defense effort. Shortly after we started our discussion, Grandma, Brenda and Joanna all came in and sat quietly while they also listened to the information. Everyone was quiet and sullen as Jerry and I explained our tenuous predicament.
“Son-of-a-bitch we’re screwed,” Brenda lashed out. “And even if we could go home, we can’t because the Cromwells might follow us. It would give them another planet to rape and pillage and we can’t do that to Earth.”
“Nice talk Brenda,” I joked.
“Damn it Bill, we’re in some deep shit here,” Brenda responded, “and I was told that Earth profanity doesn’t count here because were not on Earth,” Brenda said with a modest smile.
“Bill and I were using the same logic on a subject we discussed earlier,” Jerry said. “We’ll fill you girls in on it later.”
The next morning an unseen alarm clock announced in English that it was time to get up, clean up and eat in anticipation of our meeting with Chancellor ‘B’ and the rest of Velador’s CEO’s. Just as we all assembled in the compact kitchen, a tall narrow cabinet opened and a well dressed android stepped out.
“I am Sam,” the android said in perfect English. “I will prepare breakfast. What would you like to eat?”
“An Egg McMuffin, small OJ and a glass of milk,” Jerry answered.
Sam went to a large machine in one corner of the kitchen, pushed some icons on a screen and forty-five seconds and a few muted noises later, a door opened to reveal Jerry’s order. Sam took it out and asked Grandma what she wanted.
“Blueberry waffles with maple syrup and a slice of ham,” she ordered.
Forty five seconds later Grandma was eating it. We all followed suit ordering and receiving our own favorite morning meals.
“Sam,” I asked, “Is the anything that machine can’t make?”
“This food delivery device called an FDD, has been adapted to the tastes on Earth.” Sam answered “It can create over ten thousand of your most popular dishes so it is possible that you could order something the machine couldn’t fabricate even though it is unlikely.”
“Pops,” Grandma smiled and said. “If we can smuggle Sam home in our luggage when we go back to Earth, I think we should. Oh Sam, do you do windows?”
“What’s a window?” Sam asked.
“Even the android’s a smart ass,” Pops commented.
Just as we were all finishing our meal, there was a knock on the door. It was a man who was to escort us to our meeting with the Supreme Council. We were transferred the short distance in a vehicle that looked like an oversized bumper car at a carnival. It had a top to protect its occupants from the weather, but the styling would be best described as functionally boring. It sat at least twelve, with four rows of three seats for passengers and one up front for the driver. Like Jerry’s chair on the flying saucer, it had no wheels. After we all took our seat the vessel rose about three inches and silently glided us to our meeting.
Upon arrival, we were shown into a large room where about forty Veladorians had assembled. There was a sign over the door, and when I asked the nearest native what it meant, he answered “The Large Room.” As we entered, I realized many of the people had different colored skin or eyes; some were shorter and a few taller. Hair colors also varied from person to person.
Everyone’s eyes were set a little farther apart than humans which seemed to be the common physical trait on the planet. This was a good cross section of the races on Velador I thought.
Chancellor ‘B’ motioned for everyone to take a seat. The people who were the CEO’s of the States sat together around one end of a huge oval table. Each had a logo on the back of their chair identifying the state that they were from. Chancellor ‘B’ sat at the other end of the table flanked by his Assistant Chancellors. The rest of us sat in chairs that surrounded the table.
“Thank you for attending this emergency meeting of the World Council to address the most serious threat to our planet in its history,” he began.
Chancellor ‘B’ recapped the current situation and his plan to counter the threat using Rolf, Stella and the Earthlings in positions of authority.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Chancellor ‘B’ said as he closed the first session of the meeting. “We will need your assistance and support if we are going to survive. Those of us not on the World Council and the observers will leave while the CEO’s discuss what I have proposed. We will meet back here in an hour.”
An hour later we all filed back into The Large Room. A tall CEO stood up and began to speak.
“I am CEO Smorl form the State of Huvrostal and I have been chosen to be the spokesperson for the World Council. After much discussion the CEO’s have decided, in a seven-to-five vote, to reject Chancellor ‘B’s proposal.”
“We have agreed to give the Cromwells the raw materials they need for as long as they need them.” Smorl continued. “We will also assist the Cromwells in their search for other planets that possess those materials and when enough is found elsewhere to satisfy their requirements, they will agree to leave Velador. We feel this temporary intrusion into our planet will end in a short time and our society will return to normal.”
“Is there any room for discussion or is that decision final?” asked Chancellor ‘B’.
“We anticipated your request and will grant you and your group fifteen minutes to rebut our decision,” answered CEO Smorl.
Stella stood up and asked Chancellor ‘B’ if she could be the first to speak. He agreed.
Stella spoke with the passion I’d seen her use back on Earth. But there, as I found out later, in most instances it was simply an excellent job of acting. Stella’s performance this time was intelligent, emotional and to the point. Being on her home planet, with a real cr
isis, I decided this couldn’t be an act. It had to be real.
“Ladies and gentleman of the World Council,” Stella began. “You all are aware of me and Rolf and our recent mission on Earth. Like you, we grew up on Velador with its high and lofty Guidelines to which we all happily and voluntarily abide. Earth is different. Most people there live an amicable life where they are able to live, love, raise children, grow old and die. Individual life circumstances vary greatly and living on Earth is always fraught with difficulties, successes, failures and other hardships.”
“As I have observed, the problems on Earth begin when people are exposed to power. This may occur when someone is elected to high office, promoted to supervise large groups of people or has successfully accumulated wealth.” Stella continued. “It is the intoxication of one’s personal perception of their own power and ability to manipulate others that motivates some people on Earth to seek more. Acting like a drug, it compels leaders, by any means necessary, to continually increase the scope of their influence and has been the primary motivation behind most conflicts there. Many times the leaders attempt to hide behind some philosophical differences, but increasing power and control of people is the ultimate addiction.”
“If you look back into our own history, the same motivations existed when we first invented anti-gravity. Our hundred year’s war was the result of people wanting to possess that technology and the power it represented.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, the saving of the Cromwells from their own hundred year’s war may have created a society rich in technology but poor in self control. Our violent war caused us to lose the lust for power and seek a tempered, non-violent culture. Devoid of a similar horrific memory of a chaotic anti-gravity transition, the Cromwells do not fully recognize the pitfalls and responsibilities of the power they possess. All they see is that we have what they need and they have decided to possess it even if it harms the rightful owners – us!”
“The Cromwells will not stop with the mining of fissionable materials. They will see their dominance as an opportunity to control us, make us a subordinate society and force us to cater to their whims. This is not a future I want to live in.”
“Please, I implore you to take one more vote. If the outcome is the same, I will graciously accept our uncertain future.”
When Stella finished, all six Earthlings clapped as loudly as we could. We were the only ones. I was hoping that clapping on Velador didn’t mean something disrespectful like giving the finger or thumbing your nose but I was sure Stella would enlighten me after we left the room.
After a ten minute delay, we were summoned back into The Large Room and sat down.
CEO Smorl again stood up and spoke. “After listening to your heartfelt plea, Stella, I have decided not to change my vote against Chancellor ‘B’s plan. The other six CEO’s who voted against his plan did change their vote however. So by a final vote of eleven-to one, the Council has decided to approve Chancellor ‘B’s plan to defend Velador!”
After a controlled cheer went up from the group, CEO Smorl added one last chilling comment. “I am compelled to add one caveat to this decision. After we have resolved our conflict with the Cromwells, we must review our intervention on Earth. Based on the conclusions you just outlined Stella, it just might be the worst thing we could do!”
-Chapter 6-
The next four weeks on Velador went quickly. We were lucky. We hadn’t received any contact from the Cromwells in that time.
Pops and Grandma moved to the state we called California to begin the building of new space vehicles in the dilapidated building that was going to be replaced but wasn’t. After his knowledge of the technology was upgraded by the Information Transfer Device, Pops took charge like the Marine Corp sergeant he was in a former life. Within a few days, he hired all the Veladorian engineers and assembly workers needed to staff the old factory, set up shop and began production. Based on the logistics of the sub assemblies and final assembly of the vessels, he figured he could begin delivering aircraft within thirty days.
Stella assigned Brenda the title of Good Will Ambassador and her job was to inform and recruit the appropriate people to the jobs that were most needed. Because of the Veladorian culture of non-violence, there was significant resistance to the defense posture taken by the Government. The respect Brenda had gained on Earth because of the speed by which she turned from being a simple student to a trained fighter and spy gave her credibility with the people and assisted her in her task. As she moved about the States, outlining the citizen’s options, the populace steadily turned in favor of the rearmament effort. Like the rescue mission in China, Brenda quickly became a favorite of the people and drew huge crowds wherever she spoke.
Joanna visited schools, also acting in an ambassador’s role but with the youth of Velador. Her calm engaging demeanor captivated her audiences and soon she too was in demand all over the planet.
Jerry, with Brenda’s recruitment help, assembled several thousand volunteers within the first week after the Council’s decision. It would be their job to protect and defend the individual States in the event an invasion by the Cromwells began.
Rolf concentrated on training the pilots who were to fly the aircraft coming off Pops assembly line. Since functional flying vessels were in short supply, the training was done in shifts throughout the day and night.
The defense of Velador had begun and was proceeding ahead of schedule.
After another hard week, Brenda, Joanna, Pops, Grandma and Jerry returned to Prossfell for two days of R & R and strategic meetings.
Seeing Brenda for the first time in three weeks made me realize how much I’d missed her. Judging from her response when she saw me revealed how much she missed me too. We embraced and kissed passionately.
“Since all you’ve seen for the last three weeks are strange looking Veladorians, I bet I look pretty good to you right now, huh Brenda?” I asked half joking and half serious.
“A sight for sore eyes for sure,” Brenda answered.
Then I looked at her and said softly, “Brenda, I’m getting a little tired of you on TV everyday. I see your face and that sexy figure but I can’t get close to you. I know it’s your job but it’s driving me crazy.”
“Whether I like it or not, I’m a star on this planet, Bill. If I ever get back to Earth it’s going to be a rude awakening when I’m just plain old Brenda again.”
“I love plain old Brenda,” I said. “I even love Brenda the star!”
“You’re pretty famous here too, Bill.” Brenda answered. “But you don’t get out in the public eye as much as I do. On a different subject, how’s the defense effort going?”
“So far, so good but we will be massively out gunned if the Cromwells come back anytime soon.” I answered. “The production of nuclear weapons will take the most time. We have wave guns and superior laser weapon technology but they are designed for close combat and aircraft offense. The nuclear counter-threat we need is still two months away if nothing goes wrong.”
Brenda looked sad at my answer and then her mood brightened. She looked at me, kissed me quickly, got down on one knee, took my hand, looked up into my eyes and said, “Bill, will you marry me?”
At first I’m sure I looked surprised and I was, but an overwhelming feeling of love came over me and without thinking, I answered. “Of course I will marry you Brenda.” I pulled her up and we kissed again.
I had a moment to consider this next development in my life and commented, “Brenda, considering we have no idea when we’ll get back to Earth, and don’t forget I’ll have to join your Church; it might be a long engagement.”
“No Bill, you don’t understand,” Brenda explained. “Let’s get married here on Velador! I’ve talked to hundreds of women in my travels and they informed me that just a couple centuries ago, people here were ‘joined’ as they called it, in ceremonies similar to marriage on Earth. There is some religion here with ministers who could preside. We write our own vows, get the bles
sing of the minister and we’re married. I’m sure Chancellor ‘B’ would be thrilled to create and sign a marriage license for us. We could renew and redo everything when we get back to Earth. It’s a great plan if I do say so myself! And under the circumstances, I think God will understand. So what do you think Bill?”
“I think I like it. I think I love it Brenda,” I said. “If you have a time frame in mind, I’ll be there with bells on. Or maybe I’ll skip the bells.”
-Chapter 7-
The next day we all had an early meeting with Chancellor ‘B’ and the rest of the Assistant Chancellors. Pops had flown in from his California location to attend.
As we sat around a smaller conference table in Chancellor ‘B’s office, we reviewed the progress of the defense mission. Jerry spoke first.
Jerry said he had trained the first five thousand troops and had begun to disburse them to some of the States. He believed he could complete the training of an equal number each week for the foreseeable future.
“Rolf, how’s the training of the pilots is going?” Stella asked.
“Because of the shortage of aircraft, our training is going slower than I had hoped.” Rolf explained. “By the end of the week we will have just twenty trained pilots and crews but we should be able to train enough people to keep up with the production coming out of Pops’ factory. As we get more vessels we will be able to accelerate our training results.”
“Pops, how’s your factory doing?” Stella asked.
“We’re right on schedule and should have our first three vessels ready for testing on Friday. Next week I expect four and then six per week after that. There are two limiting factors. The first is the anti-gravity drives that powers the ship. They were having trouble keeping up so I sent Grandma over to that factory to shake those folks up. She did a great job and now the production there is humming like my aircraft plant. If we are going to have any problem, it will be in the availability of refined nuclear fuel used in the fusion generators. We are working hand-to-mouth now.”