Approaching the end game. The fate of humans is being determined.
Chapter 29 – The interruption
The order, signed by Beheggakegri, came through to the bridge of the Quorma but Commander Grrndakegra was no longer there to receive it. TThratakegri, Grrndakegra’s Dref second in command, listened to the instructions. They were very clear. The experiment was to be halted. Commander Chameakegra was to be relieved of all duties and the Hydrans were to be eradicated.
TThratakegri was placed in a dilemma. Should he proceed or wait for Grrndakegra to return? The instruction was not open to interpretation. He had been attempting to contact her Commander for many hours now without success. This instruction was clear and marked urgent. He surely had a duty to begin implementation? Beheggakegri was clear that he wanted it acted on straight away. He knew that was what Grrndakegra wanted to do. She would not have hesitated.
Beheggakegri was heading another committee meeting, more of the usual, organising an assessment of a new intelligent race in some far-off reaches of the galaxy – nothing extraordinary – all very straightforward and tedious – more of an administrative task than one requiring any discussion. Normally these tiresome arrangements would have bored him to death but he was feeling particularly buoyant this morning. Rather than leave it all to Sang he’d decided to take an active role. The Hydran conclusion was fresh in his mind and had lifted his brain chemistry no end. Even this dreary mundanity had not deflated his effervescent mood.
After having thrashed out the details he was finally about to pass the business over to Sang to sort the mind-numbing details out when the portal dilated with its customary hiss. Beheggakegri was startled by this unprecedented intrusion. He looked over towards the portal to see who might dare to interrupt their session, ready to give them a blast.
Judge Booghramakegra strode into the room.
The viewing figures for the latest Billy Smythe podcast continued to go through the ceiling as it was copied and relayed by millions of people. Not many people failed in viewing it. The fall-out was immense.
‘Friends, I have good news to report.’ The familiar smiling face of Billy Smythe peered out from millions of screens. ‘I have been in close discussions with Commander Chameakegra, who is overseeing the operations across the planet. I have impressed upon her the need for us all to keep our national identity and culture. The good news is that Commander Chameakegra accepted this and assures me that she fully means to implement my suggestions.’
Billy looked pleased with himself, though in truth that looked a little forced and his face had lost its normal ruddy glow. ‘I have had the privilege of visiting the starship Neff and looking through the plans that Commander Chameakegra has drawn up. They are extraordinary and I must say they have changed my mind in regard to the nature of this intervention by the Federation.’
Billy was choosing his words carefully, though those words didn’t sound quite like Billy. It was looking as if he might have had a little help.
‘I must admit that I have come to trust Commander Chameakegra. I believe her when she assures me that this is not so much an invasion as assistance.’ Billy tried to put an expression of honesty and trustworthiness on his face, though the features were in danger of rejecting such a foreign set of emotions. It just wasn’t like the Billy Smythe of old to accept anything on face value. ‘The Federation is made up of a large number of intelligent races from all over the galaxy. They work in cooperation with each other.’
Billy looked as if he might be reading from some autocue. The words were a little stilted and lacked the energy and passion of his normal effusive outpourings.
‘We have an opportunity to join this Federation. From what I have seen the technology and science of these advanced races far exceeds the level we have reached so we have much to profit from.’
Here Billy looked apprehensive.
‘Commander Chameakegra is tasked with helping raise us to the level of the other advanced races that make up the Federation. She is sharing new technology and science to enable us to progress. Education and the environment are being targeted to improve our lives.’
‘We can already see signs of improvement. Over the next years I believe there will be much much more. I believe that we will benefit greatly from this relationship.’
The camera zoomed in on Billy’s face. ‘Friends, I have been one of the harshest critics of these aliens,’ Billy stated, the steely gaze of sincerity hanging like a shroud on his features, although those eyes looked tired and dull, ‘but I have come to realise that this could be the best thing that ever happened to us. We are being offered a partnership – a partnership that will benefit us greatly. I believe that if we work closely with these aliens we can enable them to realise and retain the things that are important to us. We can still have our countries as well as all the benefits that come from this relationship. Instead of losing we will be gaining, gaining enormously.’
A jaded, defeated Billy Smythe, valiantly tried to look as trustworthy and sincere as required.
‘Today friends, I am changing my tune. I am asking you to give them a chance. I don’t believe this is a ploy. I have seen their power. If they wanted they could make mincemeat of us.’ Billy put on his best imploring face. ‘Let’s try working with these aliens to make a better world for us all.’
Billy’s face faded.
‘Fuck me,’ Denby remarked, turning to Cheryl. ‘Billy’s changed his tune. That sounded like a party political broadcast on behalf of the Tory Party. They’ve done a fucking job on the guy.’
‘Came over very stilted,’ Ron remarked to Chameakegra as they watched the podcast from Ron’s office in New York.
‘It’ll do,’ Chameakegra murmured.