Mandy ran through the various items Nuthros had discussed with her. As she did so, Darryl’s mood continued to improve dramatically.
*****
United States Vice President Michael Maitland stared at the man who had just appeared in his room. The stranger bowed. “Good evening Mr Vice President. My name is Kestil. I would appreciate a moment of your time, please.”
The Vice President recovered quickly from the shock. He reached for the intercom on his desk.
Kestil stepped forward. “Please Mr Vice President, I guarantee you will want to hear what I have to say.”
Michael Maitland was a canny politician, and something in the alien’s tone made him hesitate. He pulled his hand away from the intercom and sat back. “Very well, Mr Kestil. I suppose I would already be dead if you meant me any harm.”
Kestil held up both hands. “I mean you no harm at all, Mr Vice President. And please, just call me Kestil.”
“Very well, Kestil, take a seat. If you are indeed as friendly as you say, why don’t we start with where you come from?”
Kestil sat in the chair indicated. “I’m sure you realize from my materialization that I am not from Earth.”
“That did kind of give it away, yes. Where are you from, then?”
“Mr Vice President, the Sixteen Galaxies is not the only galactic society in the universe. I represent a second galactic community; the Independent Worlds. We have kept our existence secret from the Sixteen Galaxies, to ensure our survival.”
The vice president frowned. “I thought the Sixteen Galaxies were peaceful people. You’re saying that’s not true?”
“I am, indeed.” Kestil said. “The Sixteen Galaxies would have you believe they are a pacific community, but that is not always the case. I know this from personal experience. They guard their way of life jealously. And that is why Nuthros is interfering in Earth’s affairs at this juncture. He wishes to stop mankind’s further development as a free society. To this end, he is offering technology and societal change under his ‘benign’ guidance.”
“So,” Maitland said, “They see us as a potential threat?”
“As both a threat and an opportunity, Mr Vice President. Which is why I am also here on Earth. To ensure mankind does not lose the chance to advance to integration on its own. Eventually to join, not with the Sixteen Galaxies, but with us, The Independent Worlds.”
Maitland rubbed his chin. “So now we are being argued over by two galactic societies. Only a week ago, most people assumed we were alone in the universe.”
“Mr Vice President, we do not seek ownership of humanity. We want to see the only remaining direct descendants of The Originals take their place in galactic society as free and liberated people. Your country was built on those ideals, was it not?”
“Please,” Maitland said, “Call me Michael. And yes, Americans are devoted to the idea of independence. But who are these ‘Originals’ you speak of?”
“They are the ancestors of all sentient life in the universe, Michael. You people are their direct descendants.”
Maitland raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. No one told me that particular piece of information. And this is why you and Nuthros are here? To secure our allegiance?”
“Just so.” Kestil replied. “You see, The Sixteen Galaxies believe in a spherically structured society. Every citizen is smart enough to guide themselves. The Independent Worlds are more enlightened than that. We know, as you yourself are doubtless aware, that not all people are born leaders. Not all people are meant for prominence. They do not desire it, and neither should they have it. They are sheep, to be led. Ours is a pyramidal society. Those who have the talent, wisdom and ambition to reach for the top can do so. Those without such drive are more comfortable at lower levels.”
Maitland nodded. “Very true. Opportunity leads to creativity, and brings out the best in people. That is something this country prides itself on. Those with talent should have every chance to reach their full potential.”
Kestil smiled. “I knew you would get it.” He frowned. “It would seem your superior does not, and that is a problem.”
Maitland sucked in a breath. “Wilson is a good man, but he lacks true vision. He is swayed too easily by those around him. I have tried to talk him out of any commitment to Nuthros, but he seems hell bent on going ahead. Some of his top advisors are all for it, and he is not an independent thinker.”
“No,” Kestil agreed, “He is not.”
“Well, I don’t see how I can change things. What can I possibly do, Kestil?”
“I want you to be prepared to lead the country when Wilson Dexter is removed. I also want you to guide your people toward integration with The Independent Worlds.”
Maitland held up both hands. “Whoa! Now hold on a minute, Kestil. That’s nothing short of treason.”
“No,” Kestil replied. “To place a proud and talented nation in subservience to an alien race, now that is treason. What Nuthros offers is slavery, make no mistake. He will tell you that mankind is too primitive to understand. What we are offering you is continued freedom as an independent people.” He leaned forward. “Humanity is special, Michael. No other race in either galactic society is anywhere near as inventive, creative or free-thinking as you people. That’s why Nuthros must possess you. To neutralize the threat you represent and take advantage of your ingenuity.”
“Yes, but remove the President? You’re talking about impeachment. To even listen to you makes me a traitor to the president.”
Kestil shook his head. “Michael, we are talking about the fate of mankind, not the internal politics of one country. As the leader of the most powerful country in the world, America’s president sets the example others will follow. You are already trying to dissuade President Dexter from a deal with Nuthros. Dexter will lose the presidency over this decision, Michael, my data predicts it as a 95% certainty. Do you honestly think the commercial and industrial sectors will just sit and watch their empires torn down?”
Maitland sat and mulled it over. “If I end up in the president’s shoes, my stay will not be long. Dexter’s term is nearly done, anyway, so there will be an election. A vice-president who takes the reins this close to an election is not much more than a lame-duck caretaker. I assume you know all this?”
Kestil inclined his head. “Of course, Michael, of course. However, I can supply you with data that shows a gradual adjustment is all that is required to save the Earth from eventual degradation. We can assist your industries to develop the technology needed to reform the environment. Without the loss of financial viability, without redundancies and without the kind of social devastation Nuthros would cause. Now, as the man who presents all this to the world, what do you think your chances would be at the next elections?”
Michael Maitland was lost for words. He shrugged his shoulders, “Alright Kestil, I’ll think about it.”
Kestil stood and offered his hand, which Maitland shook firmly. Kestil bowed again. “Thank you, Michael.” He passed Maitland a business card, which was blank except for a cell-phone number. “Just call that number anytime, and I’ll be here immediately.”
Michael Maitland took the card and the alien vanished. The vice president went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a tall bourbon; He needed it.
*****
Christine woke up in a small room. She got a bit of a shock when she realized that she floated above a flat surface. A soft female voice came from all around her. “Please don’t be alarmed Christine. I am Truly, the AI of Nuthros’ ship. You are laying on a gravity inversion plate; the most comfortable surface there is. Would you like a meal?”
“Umm, sure, I guess. Thank you.” Christine sat up and marvelled at how refreshed she felt.
She ate and drank before she followed Truly’s directions to get to the viewport deck, where Nuthros and David sat at a small table.
“Ah, here she is.” Nuthros said, “How are you feeling, Ms Joyce? You and David went through quite a trial, I
hope you feel better now.”
Christine nodded. “I feel very good, actually, thank you. You must be Nuthros. And please, call me Chris, everyone does.”
Nuthros bowed his head. “I am very pleased to meet you, Chris. David has told me much about you.”
Christine sat down next to her boyfriend. “All good, I hope.” She gave David a kiss on the cheek. “Are you okay? I thought that guy killed you.”
David gave her a weak smile. “If Nuthros hadn’t pulled us out of there, we would both be dead, Chris. I don’t know who those two were, but they wanted us out of the picture.”
“I know that the one who tried to kill David is called John Crabtree,” Nuthros said. “He is a violent man who is bitterly opposed to environmental reform. I can find no record of the man in the suit, but I know only too well who he is. I can confirm that he is not from Earth. I had micro-drones watching you both, because Truly intercepted your computer virus and advised me I had unexpected allies. I need all the allies I can get.”
“Then why did you stop the virus?” Christine asked.
“He didn’t, Chris.” David leaned forward. “Truly told Nuthros what we were up to and he told her to let it through.”
“Indeed,” Nuthros said. “Truly let the virus through and it disappeared within seconds; wiped from the entire internet. That is not possible with Earth level technology. Truly immediately upgraded our surveillance of you and David to full cover.”
Christine frowned. “So who is this man in the suit?”
Nuthros bowed his head. “The Sixteen Galaxies has never had any reason to doubt that we are the only society of sentients in the universe. Obviously, we were wrong. The man who had the gunman with him either looks exactly like, or actually is, my brother. The only issue with that is that I saw my brother die four and a half thousand years ago.”
Christine looked alarmed by that statement, so David explained. “Nuthros is ancient, babe. He’s over 27,000 years old. He’s been watching Earth for 2,500 years! His people never die of sickness or old age. Incredible, but true.” David turned to Nuthros. “Why would some random alien want to look like your long-dead brother?”
Nuthros spread his hands. “Truly and I have discussed this with the council. It is extremely unlikely anyone outside the Sixteen Galaxies would know about my brother, whose name was, indeed, Kestil. We must therefore accept that he is who he says he is. Though why he would want to interfere with my work here is anyone’s guess.”
David frowned. “What work? I thought you were just an observer?”
“World events, David. I have done my best, without direct interference, to stave off many horrific calamities that could have ended your race prematurely. I simply put information in the right person’s grasp. Like that redacted article on the NSA seizure of Hiram Sertan’s research on climate change.”
Christine gasped. “That was you?”
Nuthros nodded. “Our policy has always been one of gentle guidance with the planets we have studied, Chris. Any influence that could result in an increase in the loss of life is to be avoided at all costs. But, sometimes there are reasons we must allow loss of life to happen, too.”
Christine folded her arms. “Such as?”
“Chris, go easy,” David said. “He’s trying to help us for cryin’ out loud.”
Nuthros held up a hand. “Please, David, its fine. I am happy to give Chris an example. Are you both familiar with the Musaeum of Alexandria?”
“You mean the Great Library of Alexandria?” David asked.
“Well,” Nuthros replied, “The library was part of it. The Musaeum was a centre of knowledge for the ancient world, as you call it.”
“Yeah,” Christine said, “It burnt down. The Romans did it, I think.”
“Actually,” Nuthros told her, “The Romans were one of many parties blamed for the fire. The truth is, there was more than one fire over the centuries. The one that actually destroyed the library was, however, a small group of raiders, prompted by me.”
“Holy cow!” David exclaimed, “You burned down the Great Library?! What the hell for?”
Nuthros sighed. “David, I had to. If that Musaeum had continued to exist, Truly predicted that mankind would have had the ability to develop nuclear weapons by the 10th century. She also calculated that mankind would have been extinct or reduced to a level that would not survive by the 11th century.”
David sat and stared at Nuthros. “That’s incredible.”
“Mankind would have had advanced technology way too early.” Nuthros continued. “Missiles, automatic weapons, and aircraft in the hands of feudal kings? Mankind’s technology always goes towards weapons of war first. It would have been an unavoidable catastrophe.”
Christine looked unconvinced. “I can’t see that you have the right to interfere in human history like that, Nuthros. What is to be should be.”
David squeezed her hand. “Nuthros can help us to avoid a similar fate now, Chris. Their civilization is nothing like ours. They have no government, no laws, and no boundaries. Except for common sense and consideration of other people’s rights. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
Christine sat back in her chair. “Why not stop it all, then? Why not just step in and take over?”
“Because I can’t, Christine.” Nuthros looked genuinely remorseful. “I hate to see the suffering of an undeveloped planetary population. It is what must happen, though, or you are no more than puppets or slaves. It is tempting to help a butterfly escape its cocoon. But, if we do so, it is left weak, and with undeveloped wings. It can neither fly nor survive. Self-determination is crucial to a races’ successful integration into the Sixteen Galaxies. All I can do is offer to help. If mankind refuses, then, as you say, what must be, indeed, will be.”
“So where does your brother fit in?” Christine asked.
Nuthros drew a deep sigh. “I have absolutely no idea.”
7
Donald Vincent played the line out a touch more. He signalled the helmsman to cut the speed back a few knots. He’d been trolling a lure for four hours now, and this was the first time he’d felt a grab on the line. He waited for a good five minutes, but no further interest was shown. Hell, he thought, the luck I’ve had this trip, the lure probably hit a fish on the head and knocked the damn thing out.
“Take us in, Michael. I’ve had all I can stand. Maybe the blackjack table will show me some kindness.”
“Very good, sir.” The helmsman spun the wheel and set a course for Cairns harbour.
Donald went into the saloon, and patted the doorpost as he entered. He always did that, such was the affection he had for Destiny’s Seeker, his Australian boat. He bought the 100ft luxury game fishing craft to fulfil a lifelong dream; to catch a “Grander”. To pull in a black marlin over 1,000 pounds in weight was something all his money could never buy. Over 800 such fish had been caught in the waters off Cairns, and he wanted one. He sat down in an armchair.
His butler brought a tray of snacks and a large bourbon. “Thank you Morris, that will be all for now. Inform the valet I will need the black tuxedo for tonight and please ask Max to have the car ready at the docks.”
Morris bowed his head, “Very good, sir. I must advise you that there are 14 messages on your phone, sir.”
Donald waved a hand. “They can wait. I am on holiday and that is not negotiable. I would like to be left undisturbed for a while, please.”
“Of course, sir.” Morris left the cabin and Donald settled back into the armchair with a sigh.
He was nearly asleep when he was jarred by a sharp sound across the cabin. “Dammit Morris, I said…”
He trailed off and stared at the stranger who had appeared from nowhere.
The stranger gave him a polite bow. “Hello Mr Vincent, my name is Kestil. I would like to talk to you, if I may?”
*****
Nuthros sat transfixed by the frozen image of Kestil again. He had left David and Christine with Truly, to learn more about the Sixtee
n Galaxies. His mind whirled at the thought of his brother still alive. But how? His thoughts flew back in time, over four and a half millennia ago, to an outer system of Galaxy Nine, when there were only ten galaxies in the society. Kestil had asked Nuthros to meet him in that system to ‘See something he’d been working on’.
When Truly put the ship into orbit around the designated planet, another ship de-cloaked just a short distance away. Its shape was unusual; long, tapered and covered in armour plates. Where most spacecraft in their society were rounded and elegant, this ship was sharp, angular and menacing. Nuthros frowned at the sight of it. If he didn’t know better, he’d say the devices mounted on the sides were weapons. He shivered. Kestil always talked wildly about freeing them from the council and their ‘oppressive’ ways. But, surely he was intelligent enough to know that weapons were of no use to anyone in an enlightened society. They were also banned from existence anywhere in the Ten Galaxies’ territory. Maybe what looked like weapons were actually analytical devices of some kind? The heavy armour was probably to pass through congested asteroid fields, like on exploration detail ships. Nuthros briefly wondered if Kestil was going to set out in the same manner. Well, perhaps that was for the best, he thought.
He hadn’t seen Kestil in 100 cycles at least. The last time was at a council meeting that an infuriated Kestil had stormed out of. Kestil applied for a seat on the council and the council decided he wasn’t ready. To be a useful member of the council, or any body of oversight for that matter, one had to have the humility to recognize and accept that they were an equal part of the whole. Kestil fostered pride in his prodigious intellect, which oftentimes negated that intellect’s value.
After he left the council hall, Kestil disappeared, cut off from contact completely. Then, out of nowhere, a message had arrived for Nuthros to meet him here.
Nuthros now received an invitation with a point of ingress on his implant. He portaled across to the other ship. Kestil greeted him with a warm hug. “It has been one hundred cycles, my brother. That is far too long.”
The Sixteen Galaxies Page 7