TSN: Epiphany (Terran Space Navy)

by Paul Phipps

“Ambassador Al-Quds your Government has 48 hours to reply to this communiqué, failure to do so will result in the release in Toto of the Communiqué to all news media outlets and accredited members of the World’s various Governments.”

  “You dare to speak that way to me?” The Ambassador was both astounded and infuriated at the same time.

  “Yes, I do. Deal with it.” The Admiral said in a serious tone. Then looked out at the remaining Ambassadors. “I will take questions from you now. If you so desire to ask them.”

  “Ambassador N’Gambe, I see you have a question for me.” The Admiral said in the Ambassador’s own Language.

  “Yes Admiral, I do. Why did you contact the Government of the United States and not the United Nations instead? If you intend to deal with all the Nations that would seem to have been the place to go first.”

  “You can blame Hollywood for that. Ever notice how it’s always the President of the United States that gets the honor of being the leading politician of the world? Admiral Webster said with a chuckle.

  He received a bit of polite laughter and a few outright barks of mirth from the assembled Ambassadors.

  “Seriously though, there were good reasons for it. Most of them are quite obvious to anyone who cares to think about it. The Not-so-Obvious reason is that I was born a citizen of the United States. I am the most familiar with it and thus that weighted my decision to begin here and not somewhere else.

  Next Question please?”

  * * *

  In a Farm House in Eastern Kentucky, David Webster the Father of Ansel Webster is relaxing after a good meal and the delicious feeling of having a done a good day’s work. The men from Homeland Security were in their Basement Command Center and there was only one HS woman sitting in the family room with him and his wife Joy.

  Suddenly the Homeland Security woman jerked up in her chair and said. “Please repeat that.” David and Joy watched her with confusion as she got up out of the chair and turned on the TV.

  “so-Obvious reason is that I was born a citizen of the United States. I am the most familiar with it and thus that weighted my decision to begin here and not somewhere else.

  Next Question please? ”

  Joy Webster suddenly stood up and got close to the TV Screen. “David… I think that’s your Uncle Carl on the TV.”

  * * *

  “Next Question please?”

  “Are there going to be any restrictions on who goes to these new worlds?” Asked the Ambassador from Iceland.

  “There are a few restrictions, the biggest one is this.”, He paused and looked out at the assembled men and women, “One of these worlds is to be set aside for the exclusive use by the believers and practitioners of Islam. The Caveat is that they all must go or none may go. This is non-negotiable.” And the silence was palpable.

  After a minute he then continued, “Another condition is that all who desire to go to one of these worlds are volunteers. You do realize this is not going to be easy task. There are agreements to be made amongst the Nations of Earth, there is preliminary planning of each prospective Colony World and it’s a one-way trip for most.

  The Terran Space Navy will provide Transportation and assist in the initial effort. After that is accomplished, we will treat all the worlds the same. You are the Masters of your own Destiny’s. We are not and will not be a part of your Governments. We are here to protect you from Species Annihilation and we will do all we can to Nurture your growth.

  The best way to that is to give you the chance to do it, not have it be given to you. We are not your Parents; we are not your Rulers. If anything, we are the Sheepdogs that guard the flock. You are both the Flock and the Herder. We will do our best to guard you from the Wolves and on occasion from the Wolves in sheep’s clothing.

  The Ambassador from Russia indicated he wished to ask a question.

  “Ambassador Steponovitch, you have a question?” Admiral Webster asked in Russian.

  “Admiral Webster, you have piqued my curiosity, who are these wolves that must be guarded against?” The Ambassador asked.

  “Mr. Ambassador, the Galaxy is not a very friendly place. In many but not the majority of the Parallel Universes that were explored by the TSN, the Earth and in several instances the entire Solar System were destroyed by extra-solar adversaries. Even here there is some evidence that this Earth’s Solar system has been visited in the past by those who look upon us as a food source.

  So we have developed the forces to defend against that possibility.”

  “Are you serious?” The Russian ambassador said with incredulity.

  “Yes, Mr. Ambassador, Serious as a Heart Attack.” Admiral Webster said.

  “Admiral Webster?” The Ambassador from Germany said raising her hand.

  “Ambassador Von Kulow.” Admiral Webster answered back with an answering nod.

  “President Richardson indicated that the Terran Space Navy was looking for people to join your organization. How would that be done?”

  “Madame Ambassador that process has not been fully worked out yet. When it is, then that information will be available to all.”

  “Who exactly is working with you on that process?” She Continued.

  “Currently we are in negotiations with the Government of the United States to act as our initial recruiting agent. If they and the Congress of the United States agree to that arrangement, then any interested individual may apply through them.” Admiral Webster answered back calmly.

  “Any further questions?”

  There was some shuffling and looking around but none of the other Ambassadors indicated that they wished to ask anymore at that time. It was probably just as well as there was a lot for them to absorb and their respective governments needed time to analyze this new information let alone the situation.

  Admiral Webster looked at President Richardson who was watching a bit bemusedly. “Thank you for inviting us to your address to the United States Mr. President. We’ll just go now and let you and your efficient staff handle the mess I’ve just given you. Until later.” He then walked into the guide beam with the two women following immediately behind him. Roland shot up and headed to the Susannah. Then both were racing into Space and just disappeared from view.

  * * *

  David and Joy are staring at the TV in disbelief. They didn’t even comprehend what was being said. All they had was eyes for Admiral Carl Noah Webster. Finally he was done speaking and the Talking Heads aka political commentators and analysts starting spouting off the tops of their heads.

  David reached over and turned off the TV. He then went back to his chair and sat down carefully. He was quiet while the two women just watched him. After five minutes or so of silence he looked around and the entire Homeland Security team was in the Family room watching him carefully.

  “I think that was my Uncle Carl. But that’s impossible. You see, he died a little over ten years ago.” David Webster said slowly.

  The lead agent was watching him closely. And then said, “Are you sure? Did you see his body?”

  “Yes and no, He and Sarah and Ariadne his daughter were going to Wheeling to do some bi-monthly selling at the Farmer’s Market there and then do some shopping for necessary supplies. A runaway timber truck over on 1735 was going down the big hill as they were going up. It hit their pickup and knocked it over the edge. That’s almost a 500 ft. drop there. The three propane tanks that Carl used for the pickups fuel blew up. There were only melted pieces of metal and ash after the fire was put out a day later.” David related. “He and I had had a real pisser of an argument before he left. I’ve always regretted that I never got to tell him that he was right and I was wrong.”

  “He left us this place in his will.” Joy said, “We were really surprised that he didn’t owe anybody any money. We rented out our place and moved here. I’ve always missed Sarah, Ariadne and Ansel were like two peas in a pod. What mischief one wouldn’t think up the other would.” She said the last with a smile.

&nb
sp; “I see, I think I do anyway” the Agent said. “Where is your son now?”

  “The last I heard from him is that he was still in the Navy and that he would be at sea for the next six months or so.”

  David then asked, “Did you know Uncle Carl was still alive? Is that why you came here?”

  “I can tell you that it is indeed the main reason that we came here to you. But all we were asked to do is find out if a Carl Noah Webster was related to you. What we all saw on TV was a shock to us.”

  “I really hate saying this, but what happened? I didn’t comprehend what was being said, all I had eyes for whether the man in the Black Coverall was Uncle Carl or not.” David admitted to the people in the room.

  The agent sat down slowly and looked David and Joy in the eyes. “I think that what happened is that the world just found out that the most important and powerful man on or off Earth is your Uncle Carl.”

  “You’re joking!” Joy exclaimed, “Aren’t you?”

  “No, I’m not. We recorded the whole thing. I’m going to play it back and we are going to discuss each section and I want you to reach back in your memories and see if Your Uncle Carl ever talked about any of the items that we heard this evening.”

  And so a very long night began for David and Joy as they and the Homeland Security team talked and talked.

  And all the time the IGD designated FH1 of the TSN hovered above the Kentucky farm house and listened.

  TSN/USN Epiphany – Tuesday 1700L November 10, 2026

  Ansel has just been relieved on the Bridge as its normal complement has arrived. He appears to be deep in thought as he leaves the bridge with many glances from the Navy crew. He is walking slowly toward his cabin,

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “So you just dropped in and blew everyone’s world view, then popped out to let the President deal with it. Is that any example for your officers to follow?” He asked with a tone of suppressed laughter.

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Probably not, but it was done on the spur of the moment. If President Richardson had let us know what he had planned in his speech we could have coordinated a little bit better.”

  Seeker/Comspeech Mode: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he kept this completely away from his staff for fear that they would blab to someone outside of his administration and spill the beans before he wanted them spilled.”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Yes, I can see that as a possibility. I’m sure we will find out someday what actually happened.”

  Ansel/ Comspeech Mode: “Now, if I’m getting into an area I shouldn’t just tell me and I’ll go mind my own business. With that being said, what was in that Communiqué you gave that Iranian Ambassador. And why was he such a prick?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “You should know about this. I was going to bring you fully up to speed once I received an answer back or had to go over their heads. Do you remember those six Navy volunteers to the Epiphany that turned out to be human bombs?”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Actually I do… I was asking Lucky about them.”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “We now have very good proof, some of it circumstantial, most of it not. They were all implanted by Iranian United Republic Doctors.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Really? So they were supposed to be Suicide Jihadists?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Yes, it appears that way. None of them volunteered by the way it was all done to them when they were children or young teens.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “So what was in the Communiqué?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “It was a demand that Iran arrest and turn over those Doctors as well as the leaders of whatever organizations they were a part of.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “I see, they are very arrogant, you do realize, especially since they took over Iraq and Pakistan. I don’t think that they will comply.”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “I don’t expect that they will. We also demanded that they destroy all of their stocks of ‘Shaitan’s Breath’.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Ok, I’ll ask. Admiral Webster, Sir, What is ‘Shaitan’s Breath’, Sir?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “To paraphrase Seeker, ‘Cheeky Boy’, ‘Shaitan’s Breath’ is a Bio-Weapon. We think it is a modified form of Smallpox with an extended incubation and contagion period designed for the maximum propagation of the Bio-Weapon. Theoretically it could kill 98% of the Human race in six months.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “And if they don’t do as you ask?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “We inform the news Media and all of the Earth’s Governments at the same time.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “That might cause them to release it .Sir”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Yes, it might. That government has been angling for some way to create the scenario for Armageddon for some time. So that the ‘12th Imam’ will come forth and install order and peace over the Earth.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Religious fanatics, scare me. They don’t think rationally.”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Yes, and these are worse than most. So what I need you and Ariadne to do is to start doing some War Gaming on what to do from your end if you are called to attack the IUR or Defend against Attack from the IUR.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “And if they release ‘Shaitan’s Breath’?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “The TSN will unilaterally destroy every military and research facility that they own or control. We will also immediately start to evacuate and treat all infected Humans as well as we can. We may have to use Cryo-Stasis on most until a cure for this ‘bug’ is arrived at.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Was this ‘Shaitan’s Breath’ the reason you decided to reveal the TSN now?

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Yes, it was one of the reasons. We discovered its existence via data and telecommunication intercepts. From what we can determine it hasn’t been released from the Laboratory that developed it yet. If our analysis is correct then we want to nip this in the bud.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Sir, if Ariadne and I decide we need some ‘outside-the-box’ thinking, may we contact selected Naval Personnel?”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Yes, I think that would be fine.” He said musingly.

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “I’m thinking that we might need to get the Marines involved to if we have to put feet on the ground.”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Kind of pushing it there aren’t you?”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Possibly, I’m getting the glimmering of a plan. I just don’t know enough. Mind you, I’m not complaining about all of the Lessons I keep getting from Ariadne and Seeker. But I think I need some specific Navy and Marine information.”

  Admiral Webster/Comspeech Mode: “Just think about plans right now. We might need to move quickly though….. I’ll keep you informed on this issue. Good night now.”

  Ansel/Comspeech Mode: “Good night, sir.”

  ***

  Washington D.C. FOX/CNN News, 2015 EST, Tuesday November 10, 2026

  “Speaker Abbot what just happened in your view?” Political Commentator Sean Davis asked.

  “Sean, you saw it with your own eyes, a Goddamn Flying Saucer just Bleeeep showed up and… and… and I don’t know what just happened. Terran Space Navy, Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament, Flying Saucers, Alien menace, Weapons of Mass Destruction.

  I’m sorry, I really don’t know what to think. I DO KNOW ONE THING THOUGH! I am so damn glad that I am not the speaker of the house right now. This is going to be a mad house.” The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said. He then took off his headset and got out of his chair and walked off of the outdoor set.

  Mr. Davis just looked in astonishment at the former Speaker of the House breaking down in from of him.

  He then turned to the camera and said, “I imagine that we will be seeing a lot of that for the next few days. I have a feeling everybody
’s world view just took a hit to the gut.

  I have another guest that is preparing to come on so we will take an unscheduled commercial break and we will be right back. Also please stay tuned for a special edition of Hardball Redux at 10 o’clock eastern tonight.”

  * * *

  “My next guest is the Grand Imam of the New York City Council of Islam Mohammed Muqtader. Imam Muqtader did you watch the President’s address and Fleet Admiral Webster startling arrival?” Mr. Davis asked.

  “Yes, I did Sean,” The swarthy bearded man replied from the FOX/CNN Studios in New York City where the Imam had rushed to as soon as Webster and his companions left the White House South Lawn.