by Paul Phipps
Just then came the traditional words:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States”
Everybody’s eyes were on President Richardson as he came to the Podium. It was noticeable that he didn’t use a teleprompter for this speech. He looked out over the gathered Ambassadors and you could see him take a deep breath.
“Good evening my fellow citizens of the United States. Good evening to you also, honored Ambassadors. There comes a place in history when you can point to a specific date and event where you measure time as before and after. The Birth of Jesus is a major one as we measure the counting of years from that. The American Revolution against Great Britain, The First American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Imperial Japan and of course our latest conflict, the second Civil War. These are all events that changed our perception of the world into before and after.
Now it has happened again. We have wondered for millennia if we are alone in the universe or if we are but one of many civilizations. There is now a partial answer to that one. And it is an answer I never expected to learn in my lifetime. We are…. alone.” He paused to let it sink in.
Last week on November first the United States Navy rendezvoused with a Spaceship, a UFO if you will. They identified themselves as the Terran Space Navy. They made contact and brought proof of their claims to the Commanding Officer of the task Force. On this past Sunday they brought further proof to myself and other members of our government.
They brought a tale of hardship and unimaginable barriers to be crossed before they found us. They were human or at the least, descended from Humanity. They told of a journey that has lasted over three hundred and fifty thousand years. They also told of a journey that spans crossing the wall of the universe not just once but fifteen thousand seven hundred and thirteen times until they found us.
Us, you and I… Humanity” He paused again and with a slow and careful delivery he continued. “We are the first Humans that they have found alive in all of that time. Not just alive but with a worldwide set of civilizations. Think of that please…. The First… The only.” He paused again then picked up his delivery pace to a brisk one...
“Now after studying us for some time and waiting for us to settle down after our second Civil War they want to open official contact with us. We asked them what do you want of us.
They answered we want you to join us in service to humanity. To aid in the Protection and Nurturing of the Human Race. We asked how do you intend to do these things. To protect us and nurture us, that is, the people of this world.
How they want to protect humanity is to increase our participation in the defense of the solar system, to have those of us who are of the mind to be the sheepdogs that guard the flock, to join their organization.
But how to nurture us? That was a question that needed a very good answer. I and my advisors did not want to put a yoke on humanity so that our march into the future would be guided by forces that might have our best interests at heart yet smother us in bubble wrap to accomplish that.
They had a most interesting answer…” He paused for ten seconds as he took a sip of water. “In their explorations they had found a number of Earth’s, around twenty of them. Where there are no humans yet the planets’ are nearly pristine and more than capable of supporting human life. They are offering us the opportunity to colonize these new yet familiar planets. Not just the United States, EVERYONE on this planet, this Earth can go and be a pioneer once more.
And there was more, they had a view of us that quite frankly baffled my advisors and myself. That is until we took a look at it from their point of view. They look upon us here on Earth and marvel at our diversity of different cultures, our different economic models that we use to exchange goods among us as a good thing. They even look upon our armed conflicts as us working things out amongst ourselves.
What they DO frown on are Weapons of Mass Destruction. We asked why? The answer floored us. You see the reason that we are the only humans that they have found still alive and with a civilization also, is that Humanity destroyed the Earth and themselves in nearly all of those other Universes. They can’t bear to see it happen here when they can possible prevent it from happening.
Because of that point of view and the evidence to back it up, I am going to submit to Congress in the morning two bills. The first one is a bill authorizing the Government of the United States to enter into a working agreement with the Terran Space Navy.
The second bill is for the authorization to remove ALL nuclear warheads from our arsenals and to dismantle them. They aren’t required anymore and the resources currently put toward them can now be used for more constructive projects.
That concludes my prepared remarks. Any Ambassador that desires to ask questions will be answered here while they are amongst their peers. We want all of you to know what is being said to any one of you.
First Question Please?
The Ambassadors are looking around at each other in confusion. This just isn’t how you do diplomacy. Then after a minute or so the Ambassador for Great Britain stood up.
“Mr. President I would like to ask the first question.”
“Please go ahead, Mr. Ambassador.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. You’ve said some things here that I find quite frankly beyond belief. You speak of meetings and proof. I don’t see evidence of either. Can you produce some here and now for us to examine?”
“I believe I can do that.” He then looked up in the clear night Sky. “Admiral Webster I believe that was your cue.”
There was quiet for a moment and then President Richardson had a large smile on his face. He pointed to the sky in the South and said. “Ambassador Wallace, would that be a good example of proof?”
* * *
On board the Susannah Admiral Webster and Seeker using the Commander McAndrews Body-Sim were watching the President’s address to the Nation and the World.
“Hmmm, it’s a good one. Lots of dramatic pauses and he’s drawing in their attention despite their skepticism.” Commander McAndrews
“That’s true, dear one, but he hasn’t provided a single piece of evidence yet. And I don’t see any screens for him to use in his presentation.” Admiral Webster said looking closely at one of the wide screen shots that he had frozen on a side monitor.
“That means he intends on using us as his evidence.” Seeker said a bit primly, “Cheeky of him, wouldn’t you say.” All of this in a thick highlands Brogue.
Webster couldn’t hold back, he started to chuckle and then had a full belly laugh. “Oh, Love, I truly needed that.” He said as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
After he had resumed his composure he then began to issue orders, “Susannah, I am almost positive that the President is waiting for the right moment for us to reveal ourselves. And when he does this is what I want you to do….” And then they began to take his ideas and work them out amongst themselves for the greatest impact.
A bit later on they were ready for their part at least as they perceived it to be.
“Admiral Webster I believe that was your cue.”
“OK Susannah, light yourself up and…. it’s Showtime. Time to go present some evidence to a skeptical world.” Commander McAndrews said with a satisfied grin.
* * *
As people watching on the FOX/CNN network stations saw President make his statement. The Former Speaker of the House and the Political Commentator looked at each other in confusion.
“What is he talking about? Who is Admiral Webster? They asked of each other. Then there was a view of them standing up and the camera following their faces, Mouths dropped open and their eyes bulging out in disbelief.
The Camera Angles suddenly changes to look into the Night Sky over Washington D.C. a small bright light came into being and then it suddenly looked like it was falling to the ground. It was growing larger and larger and the camera had to keep stepping back on its zoom as it fell and the light g
ot brighter and brighter until it would have rivaled the light of the sun at mid-day.
Then it stopped falling and the glow around it became bearable to the eyes. It was smooth Hemisphere hanging in the night Sky. Gold in color for the most part with three broad bands of silver. The base was glowing with an iridescence that showed the primary colors of the rainbow chasing across the bottom in a random pattern.
Then a small dot detached itself from the base and flew quickly to the White House and hovered over the South Lawn. It was Roland and his 250 ft. diameter scout ship dwarfed everything around him. He glowed a brilliant white that dimmed to a pale white color and then the Yellow Gold Beam shot down from him and terminated near the Podium where the President of the United States waited with a Confident Grin on his face.
Three figures appeared in the beam as they drifted to the ground. Then they were on the ground. Admiral Webster, Commander McAndrews and a third woman, tall, maybe 6’2” and with broad shoulders, her skin was a dark Chocolate and her hair was a Golden Blonde.
Admiral Webster approached the President and shook his out stretched hand. And the Shotgun microphones could hear him say. “Good Evening Mr. President, you asked me to join you?”
President Richardson chuckled and pointed to Ambassador Wallace who was trying manfully to collect himself. “Ambassador Wallace was inquiring as to whether we had any evidence to show him of the existence of the Terran Space Navy.”
‘I see.” Admiral Webster then turned to look Ambassador Wallace in the face. “Good evening to you Mr. Ambassador. What can I do to give you some believable evidence?”
TSN/USN Epiphany – Tuesday 1545L November 10, 2026
Ansel has relieved the Bridge crew and has directed the entire crew to watch the President’s address. He and Ariadne are the sole persons on board the Epiphany that are on duty. Even then, they are watching the address.
“Good evening to you Mr. Ambassador. What can I do to give you some believable evidence?”
“And people wonder where I get my flamboyant streak.” Ansel mutters to himself.
“Well, I can see that you come by it honestly. How did you like Susannah’s Body-Sim? I thought it was quite striking.” Ariadne commented.
“It was a good one. Uncle Carl needed to have other people with him this time and she was there.” He paused and the slyly said, “Why don’t you work one up for yourself. I would like it and think of the reactions you would get from the people here on board if they met you in ‘person’.”
“Sure, just for you Ansel.” Ariadne cooed, “What do you want, Scandinavian Blonde, or a Dark Amazon?”
“Hmmmm, How about a Scottish Redhead like your Mom.” Uncle Carl certainly likes it.
“Actually that isn’t a bad idea.” Ariadne said with surprise in her voice.
“Thank you, I thought not.”
Washington D.C. White House. South Lawn, 1945 EST, Tuesday November 10, 2026
“Good evening to you Mr. Ambassador. What can I do to give you some believable evidence?”
“That entrance was a good step in that direction.” Muttered Ambassador Wallace to himself.
He was unaware that his words were picked up anyway by the shotgun microphones of the news media that were now covering the Press Conference even more intently. Unknown to the immediate participants the arrival of the Susannah had jumped the national address to number one worldwide. It had pre-empted everything on TV and Radio. The Internet was buzzing with speculation on what was occurring.
“Admiral Webster, I believe that a working flying saucer hanging over my head is pretty good evidence. So if you don’t mind I have a different question.” Ambassador Wallace said to a growing number of chuckles around him.
“Certainly, sir. Please ask whatever you want.”
“How long has your organization been around?” the Ambassador asked.
“In some ways since 1973 in others since three hundred and forty-eight thousand years B.C., but as an organization called the Terran Space Navy? Hmmm, 2016 would be about right. So ten years.” The Admiral replied.
“That’s a very interesting answer, I imagine that it is accurate but not complete.” The Ambassador said.
“Very astute of you.” Admiral Webster replied, “One more question please and then I would like to speak to the Ambassador from China.”
“Thank you Admiral, how did you convince the Americans to give up their Nuclear Weapons unilaterally?”
“I didn’t convince them or ask them to do any such thing. Mr. Ambassador.” Admiral Webster replied.
“There must have been a reason, Admiral Webster.”
“You are going to have to ask the American government that question.” Admiral Webster replied. Then he turned to look at the Ambassador for China and spoke to him in flawless Mandarin Chinese.
“Ambassador Kwon, please inform the central committee and the People’s Liberation Army Navy that they already have their own proof of the existence of the Terran Space Navy. The Guangzhou took some very good photographs of one of my Star Fighter Carriers and is currently watching one of my Auxiliary vessels.
They are also to be congratulated on the seamanship and professionalism of the crew. If they were members of my organization they would be worthy of a unit commendation.”
The Ambassador from China was extremely surprised to hear himself addressed in Mandarin and the praise that was given to one of his country’s vessels and crews was gratifying to hear. No matter what the strangeness of the occasion.
“Thank you Admiral for the words of praise. I will so inform the Foreign Minister as soon as possible of your words. May I ask you a question of my own?”
“Certainly Ambassador Kwon.” Admiral Webster answered still using Mandarin.
“What are your intentions in regards to China.”
“My intentions? What a delicate way of asking if the Terran Space Navy will make any demands of you. That is what you meant isn’t it?” Admiral Webster asked in a matter of fact tone.
“Yes, that is one way of putting it.” The ambassador admitted.
“Your destiny is your own. Neither I nor any others that I know of have any right to take your destiny from you. What we do offer though is the opportunity for you unleash all of your capabilities in taming a new world, one that is familiar yet wild and untamed.”
“A world for Chinese only?” The Ambassador asked
“There are only 20 available. You may have to share. I am hopeful that agreements among the nations will lead to an orderly colonization of these worlds.” The Admiral continued.
Admiral Webster then looked carefully at the remaining Ambassadors until he spotted the man he was looking for. “Ambassador Massoud Al-Quds I would like to address you.” He spoke in Farsi.
The Ambassador was a bit nonplussed that he had been singled out. “You may speak Admiral Webster.” He said with a degree of haughtiness.
“I have a communiqué that I would like you to deliver to your government. Will you accept it now?”
The Ambassador looked around and saw that he was the center of attention and bowed to the reality of the situation. “I will accept your communiqué.”
The Admiral looked over to Captain Susannah and nodded his head. She in turn saluted and then walked toward the Ambassador. The standing men and women just moved out of her way as she made her way to her target.
Once she reached the Ambassador from Iran she extended a cream colored envelope to him. He in turn looked at her with some dismay. She just smiled and turned to the Ambassador, who was standing near her, from Ireland.
“Good evening Ambassador O’Connor, it appears that the Ambassador from Iran doesn’t want to be contaminated by the touch of a woman. Would you do me the honor of accepting this communiqué and delivering it to the Honorable Ambassador of Iranian United Republic?” She said with a throaty contralto voice.
“I would be honored to be of service, Captain…” The Ambassador said.
“Susannah, Ambassad
or O’Conner, I am the Captain of the larger Vessel.” She said with a smile.
He then took the communiqué from her left hand and shook her right hand. Afterwards he turned to the Ambassador from Iran and stated. “Ambassador Al-Quds I have been requested to deliver this communiqué from the Terran Space Navy to you. Will you accept it?”
The Ambassador for Iran reached out and took the Envelope with ill-concealed distaste. He then spoke. “Thank you Ambassador O’Conner, for the service you have done today.”
Admiral Webster was watching the whole episode from his position near the Podium. Once he saw that it was accepted he spoke again in English this time.