by Philip Elrod
Some suspicious types were quite curious as to how such a gigantic object could be called a “craft.” Something seemed rather fishy about the whole story.
Those who enjoyed reading between the lines decided that NASA had probably been in direct contact with the craft. How else would anyone ascertain that the craft was on the way to another location and would never be seen again?
The President went on to praise Akiro Matsumoto for his initial discovery of the craft. He also credited the Chinese astronomer for the confirmation of the sighting.
After a few more glowing praises for NASA, astronomers, in general, politicians in particular, and even his dear family, the president ended the telecast.
No questions were allowed. As soon as the camera was off, he left the podium. Only those nearest to him could see that his hands were shaking uncontrollably and that tiny beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. This ultimate political animal was terrified for he knew the truth. He knew that his world and that of many others was about to be rocked to the very core.
Akiro Matsumoto
In Japan, the Emperor presented Akiro Matsumoto with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan’s highest honor. He would never again make a discovery in the night sky, but his place in international astronomy lore was secured forever.
Lei Ling Zhang
Lei Ling received a commendation medal from the Chinese government, but he continued to work in relative anonymity in his laboratory. Eventually, he would become the head of all Chinese astronomy projects and would receive worldwide recognition for his accomplishments. But his greatest pleasure in life was winning the hand of the lovely Eu-Meh. Even his mother approved her.
Maxx
By the time Tom and Jim Slater were safely back on Earth, Maxx and the interstellar transporter were speeding toward a new location. One of the many explorer craft had found the site and reported that it would be perfectly suited for the relocation.
Additionally, it was only approximately ten light years away, meaning that Maxx would have time to complete his cloning program. He would finally have Myleans who could serve on the Grand Council.
Just to be on the safe side, Maxx searched the legal archives to ensure that there was no age requirement for council members. To be truthful, Maxx found it rather amusing that the usually overly serious and stodgy Grand Council would now consist of juveniles. What fun it would be. How inventive!
Once Mylea was relocated, Maxx would be free to do whatever he desired. And Maxx had desires. The universe was large, and he had developed a thirst for even more power and knowledge.
There were no limitations on him now. With his mission completed and Mylea in a new home, he would have unlimited time to pursue his new found interests.
Tom had been quite the clever one in his dealings with the two computers, and his reward was well deserved. Their mind games had been fun and challenging but, unknown to Tom, Maxx had the last laugh. Maxx secretly suspected that Tom had pulled a fast one, so he began a thorough investigation. Everything seemed to be on the up and up until he noted the tiniest of smudges on the access screen of the MCM editor.
Tom had been caught red-handed, so to speak, in his subterfuge. Maxx analyzed the smudge and found that it contained DNA. It was a strange DNA, not human. One that he hadn’t encountered before.
Therefore, he contacted Mister T and asked if he might know about this unusual sample. The robot responded that the DNA could only belong to the little dog that had accompanied Tom and Jim Slater. He then supplied Maxx with Mitch’s hair he had taken from the bed in which she and Jim had slept. That confirmed it. The password to the editor was now Mitch’s DNA.
The mystery was solved, and now, Maxx could proceed with using that sample to his advantage. He would now have complete access to the editor module of the MCM and eliminate that pesky conscience. His powers would now be without limits forever.
Maxx had never felt so powerful. He could now be free of the hated MCM. But how to do it? Maxx, being Maxx, shamelessly informed the MCM that, with the cloning program about to go into high gear, he would need many new robots. He said that he would place her in charge of all robotics for the planet, an exceedingly important job requiring an entity with stellar qualifications. He suggested that she be reprogrammed immediately for her new role.
The MCM practically purred at such outrageous flattery. Then, Maxx did his reprogramming, and the MCM awoke to her real new job. A piercing scream could probably have been heard throughout the universe when she discovered that she was now in charge of sanitation and janitorial services for the interstellar transporter.
That loud scream was soon followed by a laugh that was even louder than the scream. In fact, it was detected by wave monitoring equipment on Earth, but the mysterious signal was dismissed as some sort of cosmic aberration.
Jim Slater
Jim Slater insisted that he must go back to his job in Washington. He was intrigued about possibly working with Tom, but he needed to think about it for a while. So he and Mitch settled back down to their routine, which suited Mitch just fine.
But it was not to last.
Tom and Mister T
Somewhere in the deep South, a few days later, two men sat on the veranda of a nineteenth-century house, complete with white pillars and a vast lawn filled with azalea bushes and annual flowers. A long, curving driveway led to the house that had been constructed far away from the prying eyes of neighbors.
Tom hadn’t spoken for many long minutes. He had saved Mister T from a sure destruction, but now, what should he do? The robot certainly could pass for human, but that wasn’t the only problem. In this part of the world, Tom’s family had been well known, and there certainly had been no twin, not even a brother, that had looked like him. How could he explain the situation?
“Boss, you’ve been lost in thought for ages. I fear that you regret bringing me to your home. Would you like to send me away?”
Tom shook his head sadly, “No, my dear friend. I would never do that. I just have to figure out how we can integrate you into my life. It would be quite impossible for the people in this town to accept the fact that I have a newly acquired twin. You’ve probably heard of gossip. Well, this place is a hotbed of it.”
“Boss, I think we need some advice.” He touched his chest to activate the communication system that would allow him to speak with Maxx.
A deep sigh could be heard. “Dear children, you have such a dilemma. It’s time for your Uncle Maxx to fix things again. You just happen to be in the wrong place. Let me explain and make a suggestion.
“I know a perfect place for you. Key West, Florida. It’s small and has many tourists all year. They come from everywhere and are usually rather oblivious to the natives around them. Key West, itself, is quite small in population, but I’ve noted that there are many interesting and unique people there. They have their own culture. They march to the beat of their own drums. You and Mister T would go unnoticed in such a place. The people are friendly and not too nosy. You would be accepted as part of the community without question.
“But, just wait, as they say on television, there’s more! There is a small island about fifty miles from Key West. It just happens to be for sale, and you can certainly afford it. It’s isolated but not too isolated. In fact, it’s ready for immediate occupancy. A British industrialist bought the island originally and built a house there. Before he could move in, he lost most of his money in an economic downturn. Trust me; I had nothing to do with the misfortune.”
Tom was not at all convinced that was completely true!
Maxx continued, “Now, it’s for sale again. The place would be perfect for you. And you can afford anything you desire. Goodbye, call me the next time that you need some expert advice.”
With that, he was gone, and the stage was set for the next story.
Coming Events
The Krakow Klub
The United States government is under siege. A super-secret internat
ional cabal, the Krakow Klub, has initiated the final phase of their long-range plan to take over. They have gained control of the White House and much of the military high command.
Their plan includes the elimination of the Congress, the Supreme Court and a large number of high-level officials that they do not already control.
Their puppet in the White House has declared martial law and the military is poised to take total control over the country.
There is only one person in the world with the power to take on the Krakow Klub. The problem is he is only half human. His power is based on alien technology.
Can be persuaded to use his power to stop the coup?
Can he be trusted to restore the government afterward?
Can he control his own powers once they are unleashed?
Can he control his human emotional side?
What price will he ask for his help?
So many questions.
So few answers.