What could an alien say that might diminish the fear levels in the population?:
Chapter 8 – The Mechanics
‘People of Earth,’ Chameakegra was delivering one of her now customary addresses to the nation. She had learnt to use the Hydran name for their planet – Neff had informed her that using the Federation name – Hydra – was creating unnecessary aggravation. She’d learnt. She was there in all her pomp, with raised crest and ceremonial uniform. The premise was that the Hydrans were becoming used to the presents of large numbers of mainly saurian Giforian and Dref. The sight of a Giforian resplendent in full plated glory was not going to produce such a shock. ‘Please allow me to explain the progress we have made.’
She paused to compose herself into her most serious expression, her scutes a reassuring blue, even though she was certain that Hydrans would not yet be able to interpret the expressions and coloration of her and her kin. She began with her customary attempt at reassurance.
‘Your planet is no longer on the brink of disaster. We have put an end to all wars and completely dismantled the terrible weapons you were threatening each other with. We have started the rebuilding of your ecosystem and cleaned up the pollution. You will notice the air is fresher and the water tastes better. Together with the newly created government we have helped you set up the infrastructure, institutions and organisation necessary for you to survive and prosper. That was our stated intent and is happening at pace.’
‘I explained to you before that we are here to help. You can see the fruits of our joint efforts all around you.’ She tried to look solemn and convincing. Hydrans put a lot of stock in appearance, more so than facts and outcomes. ‘I know that in order to do that, we have had to take over and make some radical changes. That, in the short-term, is unpleasant, even scary. But I know that in time you will come to realise that it was necessary.’
‘I will once again outline our programme so that you can understand what we are doing.’ The camera zoomed in to a close-up of her face. By now they were at least beginning to notice that the coloration reflected some inner emotions even if they could not yet understand what they signified.
Chameakegra was going for complete honesty. The hope was that maybe people would start listening to her words.
‘We have taken over the planet for a short time while we set up the necessary structures and implement the essential changes.’
According to Neff it was necessary to keep reiterating the same points. Some shady Hydran propagandist from their past had said that if you repeated a lie often enough people would come to believe it. Surely the same thing had to be true to an even greater extent for the truth?
‘By now you can see that the tribal nations that were restricting your development have been permanently removed. They are being replaced with global governance. An embryonic Hydran government has been instituted and will operate out of the old UN in New York City. The new government was put together by assembling all the best brains and talents from all across the planet. Our supercomputer on the Neff our hyperspace craft, has used its immense data-bank to select the most worthy and capable Hydrans for the task. They will be headed by the Planetary Steward Ron Forsythe, a highly gifted creative who we value greatly. Instead of elected politicians who are good at talking but not so good when it comes to making things work we have replaced that system with a true meritocracy. I can assure you that things will work a lot better from now on. This team are presently being trained in order to carry out their role in taking this planet forward into a new age. When our job is done we will retreat and leave you to operate autonomously.’
Chameakegra knew that this was not going to go down well. The Hydran’s tribal instincts were proving hard to budge but she also knew that it was essential to force that process through. All the opinion polls said the same thing. Yet if the Hydrans were going to survive and progress they had to move on. Tribal sentiments were far too primitive. There was no room for that primeval ideology in the Federation. Besides, this tribal rivalry diverted resources and hampered progress. She set about putting forward the argument.
‘Having a global system will work far better. It will unify all people and enable things to work more efficiently. Sharing over a whole planet is much more efficient. Pollution and nature are not restricted by national boundaries. Having energy, commerce and transport flowing freely without restriction will make things faster and more efficient. Standardising measurements and materials will make life easier. The same rules and regulations will apply universally and be easier to enforce. A global system works far better than any patchwork of differences. You will see.’
Here she wanted to mollify some of the concerns.
‘Having a global system does not mean that local customs and flavours will be lost. You will still find the same old cultural differences will abound. You will not find things are different. You will still look and feel exactly the same as you did.’ She failed to mention that a number of cultural practices, including the more insane religious practices, would either go or be phased out. Foods, music and dress were one thing, misogyny, genital mutilation and unhealthy bodily harm was quite another.
They would learn in time. The exposure to different galactic civilisations would open eyes. Right now she just had to be reassuring.
As you can see, we have already neutralized the immense military capability and dismantled armouries. The time, energy and resources devoted to killing fellow citizens are already being diverted to better uses.’
The trouble with Hydrans was that they were far too emotional. They had to learn to rein that in. The future demanded rational thinking. If religion and national differences were removed conflict could be averted. The future assured.
‘It was apparent that the system that dominated on the planet evolved out of greed and power madness. The way the world was run was dictated by a small elite who controlled everything through bribery, threats and violence. They orchestrated wars, division and conflict out of self-interest. They controlled the media and, through the use of lies, conspiracy, propaganda and fake news, they controlled the minds of the populace. We have been forced to act. It was essential to remove the rot in order to heal the gaping wounds. Our supercomputer on the Neff has identified these narcissists, psychopaths and sociopaths and they have been removed from their positions of power. They have been replaced with caring, compassionate, altruistic competent people. You should start noticing a fairer world in which everyone can prosper.’
She was only repeating what she had heard so many times. This was what a number of Hydrans had been saying for some time – the billionaires controlled the world and set up the global system to benefit themselves. Things were about to change. The world was about to be run for the people. They needed to know that she meant business. And she meant to address the problems this created head on.
‘We know that this has temporarily left a vacuum at the centre of businesses, governments and financial organisations. These people had, over the course of centuries, inveigled their way to the top of the world’s institutions. Their dynasties have spread privilege, discrimination and prejudice throughout the world. Their greed, self-interest and lack of empathy and compassion, has infiltrated the zeitgeist you all survive in. They have selfishly and callously creamed off the wealth for their extravagant lifestyles at the expense of everyone else and the natural environment. Their only motivation has been to accumulate more in an orgy of profit over reason. The whole system is corrupt. The consequences of their actions have not been a consideration. The Neff has identified these people and we have removed them. We are sorry to have caused you all much distress.’
Chameakegra was fully aware of the damaging scenes that were plastered all over the Hydran communications networks; scenes of people being forcibly dragged away from their distraught families. It was not a pretty sight. Somehow she had to justify those unpleasant scenes.
‘I would like to reassure you that we mean these people no harm. They are suffering from a sickness that can be cured. We are holding them temporarily in camps before moving them to facilities where trained staff will address their symptoms and treat their maladies. They will be treated and returned to you, to take up far more positive roles in the future, as soon as they are well.’
She hoped that was sufficient. It would have to do. There was no way anything she said was going to undo the harm that Grrndakegra’s Stormtroopers were doing. She moved on.
‘We wish to leave you with a fully functional planet run by and for, happy, well-adjusted people.’
‘To achieve this aim we had to overhaul all your institutions with a view to improving their function. As one of your athletes put it – short term pain – long term gain.’
‘You will have noticed a large number of new education facilities springing up everywhere, equipped with the latest tools to enable learning and expand minds. Education is a major priority. These schools will be properly funded and staffed with highly trained educators so that they can provide an immaculate service and help your children develop their minds, cultivate their sensibilities and reach their potential. Much of the resources from the disbanding of the military will be used to develop a universal education system that will benefit everyone.’
This was a difficult area. Neff’s research indicated that a percentage of the Hydrans saw this as a blatant mechanism for indoctrination or even brainwashing. Nothing she could do about that. Education was key to expanding minds and developing well-adjusted adults. That’s all there was to it. They’d soon see. It was also necessary for the furtherment of science and technology – the tools of a civilised culture.