The Lonely Spy

by Mkululi Nqabeni

  She had eureka moment that very second. She recalls having done a radical scientific research called ‘’Dark Matter-End of Planet Earth’’. The research concluded that planet earth would be swallowed by another galaxy, if ever Dark Matter disappeared into thin air. This research had made her lose credibility among her colleagues. The red sun on planet earth continued for few days and people lived their life without being affected by it.

  Yolanda thought of a good idea. She rewrote her amnesty application letter and proposed that she knows the cause of these strange occurrences and may have the solutions to solve it. She enclosed copies of her scientific research findings to prove her case. She gave the letter to her bodyguard and instructed him to send it to the US Embassy in town and the ambassador should forward it to the White House.

  President Sharon Washington calls on an urgent meeting with heads of NASA, C.I.A and the US Defense to review Yolanda’s second amnesty application letter and her proposal. Brad Williams and John Webber are against the proposal. ‘’Simply reject her proposal same as last time’’ Brad said. ‘’Let’s call her in, pretend we are considering her presidential pardon then we arrest her’’ John said. NASA officials intervened. ‘’We think Yolanda is on to something, we recommend you let her help us Madam President’’ David Wilson said. President Sharon Washington took off her lenses and put them on the table. ‘’ Let me think about this, we will delay the response to Yolanda and I will tell you soon what I think. Meeting is adjourned ‘’ she said

  The following week, another strange natural disaster occurs. People start coughing; they are unable to breath and gasping for air. They collapsed to the ground within 15 seconds. Citizens of planet earth have all collapsed, Humans, animals, sea creatures, plants and trees. Car accidents on the highways have piled up globally. Pilots also collapsed, commercial planes crashed on air and some crashed on the ground. As result of this natural disaster, thousands of people tragically die. 6 hours later, people woke up from unconsciousness and coughing continuously.

  Everyone is confused waking up and seeing this natural disaster. TV news stations broadcasts a compiled CCTV footages of what happened to people that fell unconscious in different cities and countries 6 hours earlier. People are terrified and are mourning the billions of citizens that tragically died few hours ago. World organizations and religious figures call on the people of planet earth to join hands and pray together because the end is near.

  STATE OF EMERGENCY

  The White House released a press conference declaring a world state of emergency. ‘’Our enemy is not on earth but it is bigger than all of us and as leader of a powerful nation in the world we will cooperate with experts across the globe to solve this problem’’ President Washington said. The reaction from people across the globe was mixed. They felt America is hiding something and arespeculating about nuclear bomb conspiracies and these natural disasters are linked to the nuclear explosions.

  President Sharon Washington summoned NASA to compile and bring the top 20 astronomers from all over the world. These experts will assist in solving and reversing this universal disaster. NASA compiled the list and contacted the astronomers. The astronomers included were from USA, South Korea, Britain, Japan, Australia, Canada, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, France, and Germany. 3 days later the astronomers’ elite teams arrives to the USA and were rushed to the White House to meet the president.

  An hour later the elite team meets the president and discussed a lot of issues. George from Britain raised his hand and speaks. ‘’I think global warming is the cause of all these natural disasters occurring on earth and it’s a ticking time bomb’’ Most of the team grumbled and disagreed with the statement. Jeff from Australia felt strongly against the statement made by George ‘’ Global warming cannot disrupt the solar system and the earth rotation it’s impossible’’ Jorgen from Germany distributed documents across the table to everyone.

  ‘’Don’t you think the time has come that we humans and planet earth have overstayed our welcome on the universe and this is part of the universal motion to wipe us out naturally and new species can be created.’’ The room was quiet for a moment. Charles from USA intervened. ‘’Well, Jorgen you could be right but we are not here for evolution theories. We are here to find solutions and reverse these disasters’’ The team discussed numerous topics but couldn’t come up with anything except hypothetical and unrealistic answers. The president adjourned the meeting.

  At her Suite, Yolanda is working on her pitch. She hasn’t received a response about her amnesty application. She has a good feeling it will be approved and go back to the United States. She revises her pitch on how earth can be attacked from the universe and space.

  She outlined realistic and hypothetical solutions to reverse this. Few hours later, she is feeling upbeat and has never felt this confident in a long time. She opens the mini bar fridge and pulls out a bottle of champagne, pops it and pours it on her glass. Her facial expression changed in an instant and realized she will spend Christmas without her friends and family.

  On the 24th December at 9am. The festive season has peaked and families are enjoying themselves. It was a cold snowy morning and families went to see Santa Claus parade on the streets of New York City. The crowd on the pavement is excited, cheering and waiting for Santa to arrive. Cartoon characters pass first along the streets waving at the crowds. “Here comes Santa Claus’’ a kid shouted from the crowd. Reindeers appeared pulling Santa’s cart. The crowd roared, clapped hands and took photos of Santa. Santa and the green dwarfs threw presents and gifts to the crowds. ‘’Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas’’ Santa said. Everyone was enjoying themselves in the streets of New York City and was in a jolly mood including people viewing from their office building. Charles was also there with his niece enjoying themselves and cheering with the crowd.

  As the reindeers were about to pass Charles and his niece, something strange and amazing happened. The reindeers and Santa’s cart rose from the ground and started flouting on air,3 feet,4 feet, and 5 feet high. The crowd roared at the sight of seeing Santa’s cart flying away to the sky. Kids were the most impressed ‘’Take me to North Pole with you Santa please’’ they shouted. The old folks and parents thought Santa’s cart was being lifted by invisible strings to put on a show for the crowd. Santa Claus was confused seeing his cart flying off the ground. The crowd noticed they are also rising from the ground. They rose high and higher. Charles’s was excited with what just happened. ‘’Uncle Charles we are flying’’ she shouted. Charles is trying to catch her bag on air with excitement and enthusiasm. ‘’I know Liz, I won’t lie I am enjoying this no gravity thing too’’ he shouted. The office workers at the office building rose high and almost touching their office ceiling. Everyone on earth is on air 5 feet away from the ground. Kangaroos are fighting and kicking on air but can’t reach each other. Kenya tribesmen in the village are competing with each other jumping and determine who has the highest jump. Instead they fly higher and higher and the whole village is astonished at the sight. Kung Fu students at a Shaolin temple start flying higher and they call their master with excitement. Their master comes also flying and is also amazed at this. Yolanda is flouting in her suite, reading a book and enjoying the moment. The No-gravity only lasted for few hours and everything was back to normal.

  There was an urgent meeting at the White House. ‘’What the hell happened gentlemen, I see no progress we are not moving forward’’ President Washington shouted. ‘’Madam President we think force of gravity is disappearing on earth and planet earth’s movements are very strange and unpredictable. We recommend you bring in Yolanda, at least her solutions look promising’’ John said. Yolanda’s phone rings and she picks it up. ’’Yolanda, this is the president of the United States Sharon Washington. I would like you to come back so that we can review your amnesty application and your proposal within 48 hours’’ she said. ‘’ No problem I’ll be more than happy to serve my country’’ Yolanda replied. She
hanged up andpunched the air with excitement.

  An hour later the Russian intelligence stormed into Yolanda’s suite. ‘’ We have intercepted your phone conversation with the White House, Are you out of your mind? What about our deal? You know when I was in the KGB, we use to make people like you disappear’’ Yuri shouted. Yolanda stood up and walked towards Yuri. ‘’I have committed crimes against my country not because of political and financial reasons. They were personal reasons of which I’m will willing to be punished for it. I’m going back to my country and help them reverse and fight this invisible energy that threatens to destroy planet earth’’ she replied ‘’Yuri’s face turned red and was fuming with anger. ‘’ You are a snake Yolanda, the Americans will throw you in prison’’ he said. Yolanda takes a deep breath. ‘’I will take that chance, Yuri.’’ Yolanda replied.

  Yuri and his soldiers stormed out of the room. Yolanda’s bodyguards were instructed to leave with the soldiers leaving her all alone. One of her bodyguards gave Yolanda a letter. ‘’Goodbye Yolanda’’ he said. Military vehicles leave the lodge. She looks at the letter; it has a Russian military logo on it. She opens the letter and reads it. The letter is warning her not to go back to the USA. If she goes back she will never be welcomed back in Russia. The letter also stated the Russian intelligence can no longer cover her expensive suite costs and bodyguards. Yolanda squashed the letter and threw it away. ‘’Russians can be very petty sometimes’’ She shouted.

  Few hours later in the evening, Yolanda is lying on her bed deep in thoughts. What if the Russians or the same hit men kick this door and kill her. She heard a loud knock from the door. Her heart pounded fast and walked towards the door. She touched the door knob, took a deep breath and opened the door. There were 2 men wearing black shades and suits. ‘’Are you Yolanda Anderson’’ 1st bodyguard asked ‘’Yes I am’’ Yolanda replied. ‘’We are the U.S Secret service and we came here to fetch and take you back to the United States of America’’ 2nd Bodyguard said Yolanda smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. ‘’I’m ready to go’’ Yolanda said. She was escorted to the 3 black SUVs waiting outside. She entered on the SUV which was in the middle, she sat on the backseat and they took off.

  ‘’Where are we going’’ Yolanda asked. One of the guys in the passenger seat looked at her. ‘’ We are going to the airport’’ he said. Yolanda nodded but her heart pounded faster for no reason. She felt something was wrong but ignored. She took her earphones out of her bag and put them on her ears. Yolanda was moving her head sidewaysand enjoying her favorite music. Moments later, she noticed something similar to a fireball flying closer to their direction. ‘’It’s a missile, It’s a missile’’ Yolanda shouted. It was approaching their direction at a fast rate. The driver pulled out a phone and called other drivers of the SUVs. ‘’Danger is looming, drive faster “the driver said. Before the other driver could hear him, a missile struck the first SUV and it exploded into flames. Yolanda screamed ‘’ No, not again’’ ‘’Get down Yolanda and stay down’’ he shouted. A military helicopter sprayed bullets on to the SUVs; fortunately they were installed with bullet proof.

  The Secret service men driving behind Yolanda’s SUV opened their windows, pulled out AK47s and shot back at the chopper. ‘’ Please drive faster so that we can reach the airport’’ Yolanda said. The chopper shot heavy rounds at the SUV and ultimately they were killed instantly. The SUV behind Yolanda swerved rolled and exploded. ‘’ Oh my god we are toast” Yolanda said. The chopper had a military flag in it and was instructing they stop their car or they will shoot. ‘’Don’t stop, we are nearly at the airport’’ Yolanda said ‘’the driver pointed his finger to the sky. ‘’Look guys another missile is coming towards us’’ he said. The missile sped past their car and struck the chopper. The helicopter exploded into pieces and everyone in the SUV cheered and breathed a sigh of relief.

  Let’s rush to the airport before another Russian helicopter comes along and kills us.’’ He said. Yolanda looked behind and sideways to check if they are really safe. ‘’ Do you think that was a missile or drone was meant for us?’’ Yolanda asked. ‘’Who Knows’’ the driver said. 15 minutes later they arrived at the airport. The air force one plane was waiting for them. The secret service men escorted Yolanda into the plane. The plane was about to take off and the Russian military vehicles blocked its path.Yuri entered the Air Force one with documents in his hand and handed them to the Air force one personnel ‘’Air Force One have landed on the Russian soil illegally. We could have shot you down. As a result we will detain everyone on this plane and impound this plane until further notice” Yuri said.

  The secret service urgently contacted the president at the white House to intervene before they are escorted out of the plane. Few minutes later, Yuri received a phone call from the president of Russia instructing him to let the Air Force one fly back to the USA. Yuri sighed, ordered his soldiers and military vehicles to return to the military base. A moment later, the Air Force One took off and everyone in the plane was relieved.

  ALLIES AND FOES

  On her way to the USA on the plane, Yolanda noticed the guys are looking at her with disgust and realized they are gossiping about. She ignored them and looked on the window. 8 hours later, they lands at the pentagon. Yolanda is escorted to the SUV. Media got a hold of the information that Yolanda has returned from Russia and report it live on air. There were crowds of people on the pavement howling insults and booing Yolanda. People were carrying posters written ‘’Traitor’’ ‘’ Double Spy’’ ‘’Go Back to Russia’’ Yolanda read these posters from the car and shook her head. Rotten fruit and vegetables were thrown at the cars buy the angry crowd. The convoys of SUVs arrived at the White House and the secret service escorted Yolanda inside.

  They took her to the conference room where every member of the White House and the astronomers’ elite team will be there. She entered and everybody stopped chatting. There was silence in the room and everyone was staring at her. ‘’Good morning everyone’’ Yolanda said. No one greeted her instead they continued their chit chats. ‘’I cannot believe I will be spending Christmas day in here instead with my family’’ Brad Williams said. Few of his colleagues nodded. The president together with his chief of staff entered the room. ‘’ Good day we are here to hear Yolanda’s side of the story. Yolanda would you please stand up and tell us why should I approve amnesty application and be pardoned from being sent to prison’’ President Sharon Washington said. Eyes in the room shifted back to Yolanda. She pulled documents from her bag and distributed them across the table. ‘’I stole NASA’s secret mission research document called ‘’Dark Matter’’. I used it for my personal research project and also leaked it to the Russians and Wikileaks. Yolanda said. Everyone in the room shook their heads with the revelations. ‘’But… why did you breach our national security and space programmes by giving Russians these classified documents?’’ President Washington asked. ‘’I have been crucified and undermined all my life because I am a woman in the NASA workplace.

  All I ever wanted was to prove myself to my male colleagues I am on the same level as them’’ Yolanda replied. C.I.A Head, John Webber interrupted Yolanda. ‘’ You have proved yourself alright. Madam President I recommend her to be sent to prison with immediate effect. What If she is also spying for the Russians?’’ he asked. An argument broke out in the room and it was chaos.

  NASA Head, David Wilson was not impressed with John’s comments. ‘’ Let us not forget why we are here. Let’s stop talking about spy games or try to impress the president. We are here to save planet earth’’ he said. President Washington maintained order. ‘’Yolanda you can continue’’ she said. ‘’ This document was a 1969 secret space mission. It was never used or distributed to benefit scientists and astronomers who studied the universe’’ She said. ‘’ Let’s take a 10 minute break and I will be back with my verdict’’ President Washington said.

  Everyone stood up and left the room for refre
shments. Everyone in the lounge was chatting and Yolanda made herself a cup of cappuccino. She noticed her ex-boss David Wilson walking towards her. ‘’Yolanda, do you think we can reverse this and save our planet’?’’ he asked. ‘’It’s possible, very possible’’ she replied. ‘’ What are the chances that you can pull this off?’’ ‘’50%-65%’’ Yolanda replied. David breathed a sigh of relief ‘’ God, I hope you are right anyway good luck with the hearing’’ he said. He gave Yolanda a pat on her left shoulder and left to chat with another one of his colleagues.The short break was over; everyone was back at the conference room and is waiting for the president.

  Yolanda tapped her feet and trembling with fear wondering if she is going to prison or not. She looked down and murmured a short silent prayer. Few seconds later the president entered the conference room. ‘’ Yolanda I have assessed your side of the story, Thank you, now please stand up’’ President Washington said. Everyone looked at the president while she read her verdict. ‘’ You have breached our national security protocol and committed serious crimes that could send you to prison for more than 20 years’’ President Washington said. Yolanda’s body trembled with fear, her heart pumped faster. ‘’As the President of the United States of America I hereby pardon you of your crimes and your amnesty application has been accepted’’ President Washington said.

  The room went wild, the military and C.I.A staff were not impressed with the verdict. ‘’Order, Order, You will receive presidential pardon on condition you successfully assist the United States of America in preventing the extinction of human race, plants, animals and planet earth from disappearing into oblivion. If you are not successful you will be sentenced to 50 years in prison for breaching the Espionage act with immediate effect’’ President Washington said.