Alien Deception

by Tony Ruggiero

  "More gloom and speculation about Leumas. How tragic," he said, smiling and clucking his tongue. "Then, when the two subjects from Earth reject the Council’s assignment, Leumas will be finished for good."

  The only thing he had not figured on was Biom's leakage of information. I miscalculated him—I didn’t think he was smart enough to try and barter his life for information, he thought, shaking his head. Because of this, he had opted to send Journo to the archives to ensure that the custodian had not kept any duplicate records of those that had been originally removed.

  "Don't want any loose ends. Been burnt once too many times on that kind of sloppiness," he said, suddenly looking thoughtful. "If only I had thought about that so many years ago when I sent those two excuses for agents to Earth."

  He began to redden, thinking of the incident. They had both been supposedly loyal agents. Even if the loyalty device had existed then, the thought of placing the devices in them would have been speculative at best. The situation itself had been the catalyst that had caused him to have the device secretly developed in the first place. That was also around the same time that he broke another Council rule of removing dangerous life forms from their natural habitats, such as the acid worm.

  Fate has a strange way of wrapping up loose ends sometimes, he thought, chuckling evilly. "It was a real shame that disease accidentally took those agents' lives. It was so unfortunate that no bacteriological tests were done on them before they left Zire," he said sarcastically to the empty room.

  Copolla had studied the psychology of the Earth's inhabitants intently. He knew this particular race of humanoids would reject the idea of any type of outside controlling influence because they were too stubborn. He also knew that, if a choice were placed before them, they would categorically deny membership to the organization on principle alone. He had the Council’s reports regarding the subjects' background falsified so that this attempt to place the members on the Council would be expedited.

  "Now, all I have to do is deal with these offspring from the two agents. How stupid could they have been?" he said shaking his head as he continued to reflect. "Did they actually believe they could hide from me forever? Maybe so. At that time, we did not have the observation satellites like we do today."

  The Council had sent one of those devices to Earth to observe the planet in preparation for their indoctrination to the UCDW. Part of the scanning process included the study of DNA patterns of the inhabitants. Two strange patterns had appeared. Fortunately for him, the tech reviewing the satellites' data thought he should take this information directly to Copolla because he was on the Council Leader's payroll. The DNA patterns were linked back to the two agents who had been assigned to Earth by Copolla, but they also included Earth DNA as well. Two hybrids had been formed.

  He hid the data from the Council and devised the plan to get rid of the two offspring, who were now Leumas’ subjects. "Well, what was done, was done," he said without any hesitation, rubbing his hands together. "I have a plan to deal with them now. After they refuse membership in the Council and opt to return to their precious planet, there will be an accident." He leaned back in his chair, pleased.

  He continued thinking aloud. "Let's see. It will happen during the process of wiping their memory, an overload perhaps. Unfortunately, the two humans will die an irrecoverable death and, of course, the person in charge of performing all this will be Leumas. My good buddy Leumas, he just can't seem to get anything right these days."

  Chapter Ten

  THE EDUCATION OF GREG AND SARAH

  Centuries ago there were three planets that dominated the galaxy in the technology of space travel, the voice continued on within the dream-state of Sarah and Greg. They realized their competition for expansion, replenishment of their raw material, and energy resources would become inevitable. With much difficulty, they resolved to meet and develop an equitable system whereby they would enter into an agreement to share the resources found on other less developed or uninhabitable worlds. Each wary of the other from previous encounters and engagements, they met on a neutral planet under very tense and nervous circumstances.

  As freak chances of nature are at times unpredictable, an unusual disturbance occurred on the surface of the neutral planet, which caused the area in which they met to be surprisingly and swiftly demolished by seismic quakes and eruptions. All members on the negotiating teams for the three planets were killed.

  Immediately, the corresponding ships in orbit above the planet assumed that one of the other races had developed a new weapon of superior strength that could induce instability within a planet's core. Such strength would be a decisive edge to galaxy supremacy that would have to be destroyed immediately. The ships opened fire upon each other and began a war, one that would last a very long time.

  Eventually all the inhabited planets of the Galaxy were drawn into the continual war, which almost led to their own annihilation. Once the fighting fervor had set in, their original motives for the fighting changed to one of total extermination of the other species. They fought over and on the less-developed planets in the system for military position, raw materials, slave labor and, most of all, power.

  The strong survivors moved from planet to planet, leaving a path of destruction. Wasted worlds reduced to rubble, civilizations decimated. The inferior planets were stripped of their resources, their life forms impoverished, reduced to simple slavery or killed. Innocent life forms, technologically lacking, were caught in the middle. All were dying for the unknown cause of the more powerful races.

  The final battle took place on and around the planet Zire, a small world of no major consequence, with the exception that it was located dead center of the approximate dividing point between the major faction systems. All of the major powers had laid claim to this insignificant centralized planet, like little children fighting over the last scoop of ice cream. As with little children, they were each determined the other would not have it. The strategic importance was insignificant; they had been fighting for so long that they had forgotten why.

  For a standard year, they fought every day, every hour, every minute. Reinforcements, ships, equipment and supplies were sent from the homeworld planets to support this battle. They stripped their planetary coffers clean in order to keep fighting over a planet that was not worth one-one thousandth of the effort or materials that had been expended in its taking. Yet they continued to fight. Smaller races that had thrown in with the major races were virtually wiped out during the intense fighting.

  When it was all over, Zire lay in ruins, and the superpowers were reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. They had committed major resources to this battle solely on principle, only to be left with nothing. Seeing the futility and inevitable destruction to which they had been blind for so long, the forces agreed to meet on the planet's surface to discuss a cease of hostilities. They were all humbled, their resources depleted, and they agreed to take this first step toward peace.

  They met in one of the few structures left on Zire that still had a shape identifiable as a building. It was symbolic in a way, because it was the only one still standing. They hoped it would serve as a reminder of the atrocities that had been committed in this futile war. Their discussions were simple; if the galaxy and those species that inhabited it were going to survive, the fighting must cease immediately. In a show of unity, they would form an allegiance, a Council of members who would decide the best way to jointly develop their collective cultures and those of other planets as well.

  This place where they held their first meeting would now serve as the new home of this Council. This world in which they fought the final battle would be a memorial, in order that they not forget what had driven them to this point, their greed and mistrust of different life forms.

  One of the bedrock principles that sprang from these ruins was that the lesser-developed planets would no longer be ravaged for their resources. Instead, they would be helped along in their development to ensure that wha
t had happened before would not happen again. Those that knew of the new alliance would be helped outright. Those that did not would be helped secretly in order for them to develop without knowing of direct outside influence. The galaxy would live in peace, ruled by all, but yet none. They named themselves the United Council for Developing Worlds.

  Charter of the United Council for Developing Worlds

  The United Council for Developing Worlds, hereafter referred to as the "UCDW," shall be formed through membership by those planets and systems that have met to develop this charter. Members from said planets will be added to the Council only after their progress is evaluated in order to provide insightful input into their planet development. Members shall be selected by the Council to ensure coverage of the main beliefs and social structure of said worlds.

  The purpose of the UCDW is to guide less developed worlds toward a productive development both socially and scientifically so as to coexist peacefully in the galaxy. This mission shall be accomplished by using influence (see Policy regarding the Act of Influencing) to assist in the decision making processes of the planet, thereby allowing individual traits of the planet's policy makers to gauge said decisions.

  The existence of the UCDW shall be kept secret from non-member planet societies until they reach the level of comprehension to understand the basic concepts and guidelines of the UCDW, both in the spirit of this charter and technological advancements deemed worthy of membership.

  Upon attaining such level of comprehension, two selected members shall be chosen to become delegates to the Council. They will be removed from their society by completing their life cycle abruptly, thereby allowing explanations of their disappearance. These two members must represent a true cross section of the potential member planet. Upon their arrival to the Council planet, currently Zire, the tentative members will be re-animated. In the event of a failure in the assimilation of members to the Council, memory erasure will be instituted and a non-interference policy may be imposed on said planet.

  Under no circumstances will members/agents of any alien races be allowed to mix with the population of a planet that has not yet been approached by the Council in an official capacity. Offspring produced by the joining of mixed alien races is of paramount concern, whereas this procreation could possibly harm the normal sociological development of the planet and this association. This would be in direct violation of the basic principles of the UCDW's charter.

  The United Council for Developing Worlds

  The Act of Influencing

  Influencing is defined as the act by which a member of the Council, normally an Initial Contact Agent (ICA), places an alien being (non-UCDW member) under influence. This Agent, who has been born, created or so altered to attain this position, when specifically directed, shall place an alien being (non-UCDW member) under influence. This shall be done by the transference of thought from the agent to the alien species. Influence shall never be applied to an active member of the UCDW.

  Transference shall be accomplished by the conversion of the agent's thoughts into sub-atomic particles, transported through electrical stimulus and inserted into the alien species. Brain pathways and neural connections are not to be altered in any way that will pose a threat of possible neural damage. The thought shall be endorsed by the Council before insertion, and shall be pertinent to the stated order and direction of the Council. No thought will be specific in order to bring about a specific result but will simply open possibilities to the aliens, thus allowing them to conduct themselves in a way to produce a desired result based upon the interpretation of the influence by said aliens.

  Influence applied in a way not in accordance with this intent shall lead to punitive punishment of that member and immediate removal from the UCDW.

  * * * *

  The United Council for Developing Worlds is the Savior of the galaxy, as we know it. Without their continued support and guidance, the stability of numerous worlds would falter. The ideology of the…

  Sarah and Greg slowly opened their eyes in their new surroundings as the voices in their minds ceased their relentless dictation.

  "We're not in the bar anymore," Sarah said groggily as her eyes scanned the room from the plush sofa she now found herself on.

  "Where is this Leumas guy?" Greg asked, shaking the sleep from his head. "I wasn't through with him yet!" He looked around, but Leumas was nowhere to be seen.

  "Please, Greg. You weren't through with him yet?" she said sarcastically, then smiled at him.

  "Okay, well, maybe he was controlling things a little," he agreed, returning her smile. For a moment, their eyes made contact and, as they looked at each other, Greg felt himself drawn into her eyes. She's so beautiful… he thought. He felt his body temperature rising, and he knew he was beginning to blush. He felt embarrassed by his overt display of feelings, but couldn't help noticing that she too appeared to be having a similar reaction.

  "So…ah…where are we now?" she said as she turned her face from his. Before she completely turned from him, Greg saw the smile that played upon her lips and how she coyly tried to hide it.

  "It looks like some kind of a study or library," he said as his thoughts returned to their new surroundings.

  The walls were lined with bookcases teeming with books, and there was a crackling fire in the fireplace. The mantle above it held numerous photographs, but they were too far away to make out any detail. Three large, antiquated wing back chairs sat on a plush Oriental carpet in front of the fireplace, inviting comfort and warmth.

  Greg scratched his head as he turned to Sarah. "Here we go again. Every time we wake up, we're someplace new."

  "What about all the crazy stuff Leumas was laying on us? And the dreams we're having about this UCDW. It's so odd." Sarah stretched her arms out, yawning. "But, I guess if you think about it, it's not really that far-fetched. We constantly worry about our own government and their secret organizations spying on us and stuff. Why couldn't a superior alien race be doing it?"

  "I guess they could," he said, shrugging. "You saw the same thing I did in this last dream. The organization, what was it called…the UCDW? It's not that unbelievable. We've always thought there's more intelligent life out there in the galaxy."

  Sarah arched an eyebrow. "On the other hand, there's always the possibility that we've just been kidnapped, and this guy is just messing with our heads." She appeared to reconsider that statement. "But what would be the point in someone doing that? It's not like someone will pay a handsome reward for our return or anything."

  "Maybe he's doing it just for kicks…who knows. There are a lot of crazies in this world." Greg shrugged again.

  She leaned against the back of the couch and sighed. "Well, what's our next move, Greg? I don't think we're in control anymore."

  "I think it's time we forced this Leumas character to show us some credible proof about this alien thing," he said, standing up.

  "Like what?"

  He began to walk around the room, touching objects as if trying to make sure they were real.

  "I don't know, but he must be able to do something to prove he's not human. Hell, even just show us anything to back up his story. You know, these dreams could all be just drug-induced. Their simulation technology doesn't seem to be that advanced. I've read about simpler devices used all the time. I mean, look at the stuff at Disney World."

  "I agree," she said, nodding, but appeared to have something else on her mind. She began hesitantly. "But, um, Greg, there is something else I want to ask you. It's something that I'm not quite sure how to explain. Maybe you've been feeling it to. It's probably not important, but it's starting to bug me more and more."

  "What's that?" he asked warily. He felt himself beginning to blush again, thinking she was going to mention something about them and their feelings.

  Sarah saw his expression and, suddenly, she blushed too. They looked at each other and laughed. Greg thought it was wonderful to be able to share this feeling with someone.

/>   "You were going to say something?" Greg asked, when he got his laughter under control.

  "This is going to sound strange, but I've been getting a strange sensation in my head. It's like, well, like deja vu stuff," she said, unsure of her words.

  Greg stopped in mid-stride, and looked at her intently. "You mean like when someone says something, you could almost have sworn that you knew that they were going to say it?"

  "Sort of, but more like knowing what someone is thinking," she said.

  "I know," he said. "I've had those same sensations. I'm not sure if it's just a feeling, or if it's some sort of reaction to all that's been going on." He paused, sighing. "Right now, I'm not sure what's fact and what's fiction. Let's just leave that for now and deal with Leumas first. Okay?"

  "Okay," she agreed, briefly touching his hand with hers. He was about to reach for hers when the sound of the doorknob turning and the door slowly opening into the study drew their attention from the moment.

  Leumas strode into the study, carefully closing the door behind him. He strolled across the immense room. He wore a red smoking jacket and a comfortable looking pair of gray wool trousers.

  "What's this?" Greg said, nudging Sarah. "We've gone from bartender to lord of the manor?"

  Sarah stifled her soft laughter as Leumas sauntered around the room. He ignored them as he glanced at himself in the mirror over the mantel. Finally satisfied, he moved in front of the fireplace and motioned Sarah and Greg to join him. He nodded toward two of the wing back chairs. They hypnotically stood up from where they had been sitting and moved toward the chairs. They sat down on the overstuffed cushions facing Leumas.

  "Well, now, Greg and Sarah, how are we all feeling this fine day? Ready to have some more fun?" His demeanor was calm and collective, not exactly what Greg remembered from their last meeting. He sat and leaned back in the chair, getting comfortable and then said, "We've got several hundred years to catch up on."