by Tim Blagge
“With the committee’s approval,” Blosh began. “I will hold a meeting with the remaining CEO’s of the States plus the highest ranking officials in the States whose CEO was killed. It is this group who must decide who is to be the administrator in Prossfell or if we need to restructure our entire government. I should be able to assemble the meeting by next week. I’ll need Bill to be there too.”
“If you don’t mind, Rolf and I would like to attend also, CEO Blosh.” Stella said.
“I would expect that,” Blosh answered.
“Bill, I assume you’ll have to wait until the Cromwell Government contacts you for your meeting with them. I have no idea how long that will be.” Stella said.
“No, I want to schedule that as soon as possible. We need to get the ball rolling on anything that comes out of that meeting. If your people are like mine, we’ve got to strike while the memory of the occupation is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Right now my sense is that we can get public support for any reasonable plan. Later, the people may not be so pliable because any assistance we give the Cromwells will not come cheap. I’ll contact General Boixnest after this discussion and see what her plans are.”
“Bill, are you sure?” Stella asked. “Wouldn’t it to be better to wait until the fallout from our sudden victory settles a little?”
“I’ll leave that decision up to the Cromwells. It’s a loose end that I’d like to finish before we return to Earth.” I answered.
The meeting continued for another forty-five minutes with participants offering their opinions sometimes personal but mostly nuanced suggestions on how to accomplish our strategies.
“Unless there is more to discuss, I think we should close this meeting.” Stella finally announced.
Then a thought popped onto my head. “Your earlier comment Stella about loyalties in Prossfell, have not been adequately discussed. Shouldn’t we remove the people including Chancellor ‘B’ until we determine if they had any roll in helping the Cromwells?”
“Bill,” Blosh interjected. “That will be best decided by the CEO’s. I’ll try to move up my meeting and that will be one of the issues we will discuss. In fact I’m going to make sure the Chancellor ‘B’ and his cabinet attend. We will interrogate them there and do it in a public forum.”
“It’s in your hands, CEO Blosh and I’d like to second Stella’s motion to end the meeting.” I added.
The meeting broke up and Brenda and I excused ourselves and went back to our room to rest.
“Hey Brenda, your baby bump is looking sexier by the day. Are you still feeling okay?”
“Bill I feel fine but there is something I’d like to talk to you about,” Brenda began.
“Not the ‘we’ve got to talk’ remark. I thought those were off limits!” I responded.
“Before you go and get all weird, it’s about when we go home or even if we go home again. Velador is a beautiful place. Maybe we should consider staying.”
“What about your parents, Brenda. Don’t you want to see them again?”
“I do, but the thought of walking into their house, ten months pregnant and trying to explain to them that we were abducted by aliens and helped them win a planetary war, is a scenario I wouldn’t look forward to.”
“It does sound a little far fetched, doesn’t it?”
“Far fetched, are you kidding? What’s far fetched times a million, Bill? That’s what we’d be up against.”
“I understand what you are saying and it was a little dangerous back home. Maybe we could stay here until the baby is born. By then enough time would have passed to allow the criminal element on Earth to return to the holes they crawled out of.”
“That may be a good alternative Bill but all this discussion is making me horny. How about you, my hero husband?”
“Me too,” I answered keeping my answer as short as possible.
-Chapter 33-
After our brief rest, Brenda and I went to the mess hall to see what was on the menu. We selected some odd food we’d become vaguely familiar with and sat down. Everyone we saw said ‘thanks, or ‘good job’ or gave us their version of a thumbs up. Blosh came up to us and asked if he could join us. I motioned for him to sit and he gave me an update.
“My meeting with the CEO’s is scheduled for the Utah summer home in two days. Remember you two were there for a day.”
“That was our wedding night,” Brenda said. “I don’t think either one of us will ever forget that. And it was such a beautiful place. Bill, can I go with you?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, my dear.”
“That’s what I was going to say.” Blosh continued. “I’ve arranged a room for you and Brenda, Jerry and Joanna and Pops and Grandma. I feel funny calling her Grandma. What’s her name?”
It’s Elizabeth,” I answered.
“So you three couples will have a private room and unless you object, the transport leaves in two hours. I’ve already talked to the others and they have agreed to go too. My staff will greet you with a banquet of some of our finest food. The CEO’s and others are so grateful for your participation in our efforts, they insisted we entertain you with the best Velador has to offer.”
“That sounds unbelievable Blosh. The only thing I really have to do is contact General Boiknest and arrange a meeting with the Cromwells. I’ll do that before we leave.”
“I’ll see you in the landing area,” Blosh said and left.
When Brenda and I got back to our room, I called government in Prossfell, identified myself and asked to speak to General Boiknest.
“Mr. Burton, thank you for calling.” Boiknest said as she came on the line. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure you would. Since we surrendered, I fully expected you to disregard your offer to our people.”
“General, I’m not sure why you think that,” I answered. “My integrity is most important to me and I meant everything I offered you. Unfortunately I am not in the Veladorian government so I can only act as a liaison, not the decision maker. However, I now have significant political capital, as we say on my home planet, so my chances of accomplishing our collective goals are stronger now than they will be in the future.”
“You sound wise beyond your years.” Boiknest said. “I hope you are not as deceptive as your Veladorian friends.”
I’m not sure I understand your comment, but you can elaborate at our meeting.” I commented. “So when do you want to get together?”
“I will be returning to Cromwell in five days.” Boiknest explained. “I would like you to accompany me there.”
“And how do I get back?”
“I suggest that a day later, your people retrieve you. That should give us enough time to review our positions.”
“Allow me General Boiknest to discuss this with my associates. I will communicate my decision to you tomorrow. Good bye.”
“Damn Bill,” Brenda chimed in as I hung up. “You sounded like a real politician except you’re honest and mean what you say. You never cease to amaze me. From cute nerd to a leader of planets is quite a leap!”
“Necessity is a great teacher,” I said. “Adapt or die. I don’t know who said that first, but it seems appropriate right now.”
“Who are you Bill? Or who have you become?” Brenda pondered out loud.
Brenda and I made our way to the landing area waiting for our transport to Blosh’s summer house. Stella and Rolf came up to say goodbye.
“Have fun,” Stella said. “Rolf and I will meet you in two days. And I would recommend that you not go to Cromwell with Boiknest. It’s too dangerous.”
“So you listened in on my call? Now I feel like a criminal.” I said.
“Bill, we have been monitoring all the calls in and out of here. We’ve been at war and we knew we had spies in our midst.”
“But I’m not one of them!” I argued. “Oh well, I’ll consider your caution and I’ll let you know what I decide before my trip to Cromwell.”
“Bill that may be a decision w
e can’t allow you to make. You mean too much to our people now to allow you to risk your life in that way.”
“Last time I checked, I am a consenting adult capable of making my own decisions, Stella.” I said with some protest in my voice. “We’ll talk later; the pilot is waving us over. We’ll see you two in a couple of days.”
After two days of lounging on the beach all us humanoids felt tanned and refreshed. The CEO’s and other dignitaries began arriving and Blosh greeted them all. Accommodations had been booked at a hotel in a nearby town in the event the meeting took longer than a day. Blosh opened the meeting and the first order of business was to decide if Chancellor ‘B’ would continue in his position.
“In my own defense, I did what I thought was best for our people.” He began. “From my standpoint, acquiescing to the Cromwell demands was the only course of action open to us. The Resistance’s actions triggered a nuclear response that killed thousands of our citizens. Had we not resisted, it would have given us time develop an alternative plan.”
“And what would that alternative plan have looked like?” Stella asked. “Waiting would have emboldened and further entrenched the enemy on our soil making it impossible to retake our planet. As you know their plan was to exterminate us after they were done using us.”
The interrogation went back and forth until CEO Blosh asked the most direct and probing question.
“Chancellor ‘B’, is there any other entity, person or business that you feel an obligation to honor or obey?”
“None,” he answered.
“Are you aware of any of your Assistants or Cabinet Members who feel an obligation to honor or obey any entity, person or business other than the people of Velador?” Blosh asked.
“None,” Chancellor ‘B’ answered.
“Chancellor ‘B’, I am in possession of over a hundred transcripts of phone conversations you had with a Blisronseft of the Mindcon Entertainment Complex. Would you like to rethink your testimony?”
“Blisronseft is a friend of mine. I often consulted with him on strategy concerning the grave danger in which our planet found itself embroiled.”
These documents indicate your connection with Blisronseft was more of a boss and underling relationship with you being the underling. I am submitting this evidence for the CEO’s to read and interpret for themselves. After Blosh presented several more pieces of incriminating information he asked if anyone else had any more questions. When there were none he said, “Chancellor ‘B’ will you please leave these proceedings and wait outside.”
“Next, I’d like to call Assistant Chancellor Digger, our Coordinator of Worldwide Mining.” Blosh continued.
Digger who was waiting in the outer room entered the main hall.
“Assistant Chancellor Digger, Have you ever had any verbal contact with the Cromwell people in the last five years?”
When Digger answered yes, a muffled gasp went out from the onlookers.
“Please elaborate,” Blosh requested.
“According to our history with the Cromwells, yes we did help them through their anti-gravity transition. But through my research I discovered that when we left, in spite of our assistance, their economy was in shambles. Even though the reasons for their economic collapse has become somewhat less clear over the decades, I felt it would be honorable if we agreed, as a people, to sell or loan or give them some of our ore. I did have some conversations with a representative of theirs and told them I would support that position. I also told them I didn’t have the authority to make any decision.”
“For the record, my information indicates that what Assistant Chancellor Digger is saying is truthful.” Blosh declared. “Does anyone have further questions?”
“If not, I’d like to adjourn for a midday meal.”
The group went into the dining room discussing the events of the morning among themselves.
I turned to Brenda and commented; “nothing like a little courtroom drama to get your blood percolating.”
“CEO Blosh’s experience as a prosecuting attorney is quite obvious,” Brenda said and I wholeheartedly agreed.
After lunch we all reconvened in the main hall. The next person called by Blosh was Assistant Chancellor Clinton, the political consultant to the Central Government in Prossfell. After a heated exchange, it became obvious that except for an opinion similar to Digger, he was not responsible for any leaks that would benefit the Cromwells. He was excused and Assistant Chancellor Rambo was called and here’s where it got interesting.
“I want you to understand Assistant Chancellor Rambo, that I have intercepted many of your personal communications over the last few months so, like the officials before you, I caution you to tell the truth,” Blosh began.
After a short pause that raised the anticipation level of the participants to an even higher level, Blosh got right to the point. “Have you exchanged sensitive information with the Cromwell?
“Yes,” was Rambo’s abbreviated answer.
“Have you acted, in conjunction with, or transferred information to the Cromwells to assist them in their invasion of Velador?”
Again the short answer came back, “Yes.”
The muffled sounds of whispering rose up from the committee with some people talking among themselves with others appearing to shake their head as they mumbled alone.
“Assistant Chancellor Rambo, would you please give our esteemed guests some sort of explanation!” Blosh asked directly with a tone somewhere between asking and demanding.
Rambo’s chest rose and fell as he took several deep breaths trying to compose himself. His gaze shifted to individuals in the group one at a time projecting a sincere demeanor as he began what became a full confession.
“My esteemed colleagues, I have committed a grievous affront to all Veladorian society. In an attempt to mitigate the damages I perceived were about to come upon our people, I succumbed to a proposal by a Cromwell representative.”
“His name was Gunitch and about six months ago he approached me and offered to protect me and my family from what he said was a planned invasion from another planet. I thought he was a Veladorian speaking for another species but I determined later that he had his appearance altered to look like us. He also spoke our language with no apparent accent. It was only two months ago that he revealed that he was from Cromwell.”
“The man convinced me that his planetary forces possessed powerful nuclear weapons and that we would be no match for them.” Rambo continued. “Understanding the threat, I agreed to assist him. When General Boiknest came with her demands, it became my job to convince the Government in Prossfell that resistance was not an option and suggest that we accept our unfortunate fate.”
“I’m curious Rambo,” Blosh interjected. “Knowing what the Cromwells planned, what possessed you to help them?”
“They promised safety for me and my family.” Rambo explained. “I was told that I would become the highest ranking person on Velador and take over the administration of the entire planet. They said they would not attack Prossfell.”
“Was it the promise of power that lured you into their plan?” Blosh asked.
“In retrospect, that was part of it. I also thought that as Planetary Administrator, I could be the best person to minimize any destruction of our planet. With the Cromwells overwhelming military advantage, I felt resistance was not an option.”
“So how did you deal with the Cromwells when you heard that some of our people had organized a resistance movement,” was Blosh’s next question.
“They threatened me and my family knowing that it was my biggest vulnerability. But something good happened. Even though there were rumors that the resistance was strengthening, no direct information came into Prossfell. The government, including Chancellor ‘B’, was quietly rooting for some kind of counter attack, even though we all knew it was a long shot. With our aging facilities, the time required to launch a credible defense seemed years away. We thought any resistance would be discovered
and quashed long before that.”
“How did the Cromwells react to your inability to get them information on the resistance,” Blosh continued his questioning.
“First I was confined to my residence. When I continued to be unable to provide fresh intelligence, they imprisoned me. I was only just released when the Cromwells surrendered.”
“Thank you for your candor Assistant Chancellor Rambo,” Blosh added. “Is there anything you’d like to say in your own defense?”
“I understand that from this day forward, I will forever be branded a traitor. My motivation was to save my family and to mitigate the horrific consequences I fully expected under Cromwell rule. I chose a path I truly believed would produce the least damage to our planet and the smallest loss of life. It wasn’t until I saw the confession of the Cromwell soldier that I realized what the enemy really had in store for us. That was when any cooperation I had to offer the Cromwells ceased. By that time however, the Cromwells had already removed and imprisoned me.”
“I am fully prepared to accept any punishment this committee chooses to give me including death.”
“Joanna,” I leaned over and whispered. “Do they have capital punishment on Velador?”
“As I understand it, it hasn’t been done in over a hundred years but it is still within the authority of the CEO’s to order it.” She replied.
After a long pause while Blosh perused some electronic paperwork he had been working with, he stood up. “I would like to meet with the eleven other CEO’s in private to discuss everything we’ve heard today. We will announce any decisions we make when we reconvene in two hours.”
-Chapter 34-
We all packed up and left. Brenda and I and Jerry and Joanna decided to go to the beach and Pops and Grandma decided to go to their room and rest. On our way to our rooms to change, Pops began to talk about the proceedings we’d just witnessed.