Chapter 13.
Haden opened his laptop and sat it on the night stand beside his bed. He typed in his code words and then sat down on the bed. Within only a few seconds Aaron’s face appeared on the screen.
“Good to see you, my brother,” Aaron Brock’s image said. “Apparently things have begun to stabilize.”
“A bit, yes. All the representatives arrived as scheduled, but we hit a bit of a snag before much could be accomplished. We’ve been attacked from the air. . . . Before you get excited, let me assure you it wasn’t much of an attack. Only two aircraft were involved and damage was minor. No significant casualties that I’m aware of.”
“I had no idea,” Broc responded. “Hal reported some security issues, but said nothing about an attack.”
“It only happened a few hours ago and was quite brief. We’ve moved everyone out of the Binnenhof and distributed them in facilities outside the complex. We’ve shut down all electronics until we’re sure they’re secure.”
“Do you know where the attack originated?”
“No. That’s why I called. We need to know who’s behind this.”
“OK. give me a second.” Broc’s image flickered and disappeared, to be replaced by a smaller version of himself, with Evander’s image beside it. Evander was the first to speak.
“We detected the explosions but were waiting for the all-clear from you.”
Haden responded: “We need to know where the planes came from and where they went.”
“Hold one,” said Evander. His image flickered and partially disappeared, then quickly re-stabilized.
“We show the sortie originated from a small private airstrip to the southwest of Cairo. The aircraft were two obsolete F-18’s, based on their engine output signatures. No radio communications from either of them. Both planes ditched in the sea about 200 miles off shore. No ship traffic in the area, so either the pilots were picked up by a sub or they went down with their planes.”
“Cairo, huh?” said Broc. “I’ve been out of the loop for a while. Someone want to fill me in? Anyone heard from Sultanih? (Salim Sultanih was their eyes and ears inside the Mid-eastern Alliance’s military. A year previous, he had been caught in the act of trying to infiltrate Walenberg’s organization, and had been ‘turned.’ Now, in exchange for keeping his identity as a double agent secret from the Alliance, he provided “intel” on the inner workings of their military machine.)
“Our last contact was a little over a week ago.” Evander continued. “Amon was confident enough in the accuracy of Sultanih’s report that he elected to head south to Johannesburg so he could monitor the tribal unrest going on down there.”
“Say what you will about Amon.” Haden was becoming impatient. “You’ve all known him much longer than I have, and my fear is that that familiarity may have clouded your judgement about him. Consider for a moment the severity of the situation we now face. In the broadest sense, the so-called ‘western alliance’ is little more than a bunch of political wind bags trying in vain to keep some measure of credibility on the world stage. Yes, their military is the largest in the world and could easily crush any opposition from a single nation. But if several countries united against them, the best the Americans could hope for is a stalemate. Without sponsorship they lack the resources for any prolonged military engagement. The middle-east powers know this, and though they continue to fight among themselves, should the necessity arise, they would unite to defeat the West if they perceived it to be a serious threat. Amon should be here keeping contact with Abdullah, making sure that such an alliance doesn’t happen.”
Evander had been listening intently to Haden’s remarks and had noticed a flaw in his argument.
“May I remind you, friend Haden, that of all of you, Amon has been the one person most closely attuned to the goings on in this part of the world. He knows the mind-set of these people best because he is one of them. He has associated with them from before the dawn of civilization.
“But more importantly you of all people should be attuned to the Western political/military/industrial mind-set. You have courted their military attache as your close friend for how many years now? You have rubbed shoulders with the best and brightest of their leaders. Surely during that time you have recognized their inherent lack of a unified political will. “
“This may appear to be so now.” replied Haden. “But their traditional ties to the independent states throughout the world remain strong, in spite of their political remarks to the contrary. Should the situation warrant, I’m certain the West would rise to their defense.”
Broc felt he must interject.
“My brother Haden; you have only just recently joined us. And though I do not doubt your motives or your integrity, I fear that your perspective is somewhat clouded. It was late in the twentieth century when you elected to join us, and from your comments it becomes clear that you brought with you much of the popular thinking of that era. During your time with us aboard the Brighid, over two hundred Earth years have transpired. During that time many things have changed, including the virtual disintegration of most of the remaining independent states. The high moral values that the ‘West’ once held dear have since diminished, to be replaced by hedonistic attitudes.
“Beyond that, when you elected to return to Earth, you chose to ‘infiltrate’ the political elite where you believed you would have the most influence. And you HAVE made some positive inroads, as witnessed by the relationship you have developed with your friend Walenberg.
But if you will look at that relationship objectively, you will recognize the inner conflict which plagues the man. He wishes the words you speak about the patriotism of his people were true. But he also knows that if he were to repeat them to his superiors, they would, at best, fall on deaf ears, and he would surely loose credibility in the process.
“Sadly, as evidenced by the apparent apathy on the part of the general population during generations of subtle subjugation, Walenberg exemplifies the rule, rather than the exception.”
“That might be the case on the surface,” Haden responded. “But I still believe there is within those people a ‘silent majority’ which still holds traditional values as sacred.”
Evander once again interjected.
“Brother Haden, I applaud your faith in the human species. I am certain that to some degree your faith is justified. But may I remind you that your contact has been exclusively with the upper echelons of Western society, not with the general population. The elites are a closed ‘society within a society,’ disconnected and separate from the common man, concerned only with their own agenda. They speak in lofty terms when pontificating before the ‘masses.’ Their words are woven to deceive, to mislead, to manipulate. Their only real concern is the preservation of their power and status among their peers. They will say and do whatever is necessary to do so.
“And the common people, so caught up in the ordeals of every day living, the distractions, the misdirections, have chosen to capitulate, to not swallow the bitter pill, to not take responsibility for their actions. They have given little thought for the future, thinking only of their short term comfort. It is precisely that ‘silent majority’ which has allowed this corruption to gain dominance.
“Amon has understood this for a very long time. He has, just as you have, tried to persuade your people to do what is right, rather than what is expedient.”
“That is why each of us is engaged in this noble cause.” Everyone was startled to hear the voice of Amon. “I logged in to the discussion only minutes ago, and would now add my thoughts.
“Each of us sees our people falling prey to apathy. We see they have grown accustomed to a life practically devoid of discomfort. Their every need is provided for. They have but to reach out and take it. They no longer appreciate or even comprehend what it took for their comforts to be made available. And in so doing they have lost their integrity. They have lost their moral compass. They are without direction. They are without purp
ose.
“That is why I chose to return to my homeland. Of all the nations of the Earth, mine was the first. Broc and Nahm were both there at the beginning. They can attest to the struggles we endured. And they also can attest to the irony that, of all the nations which have come into being, of all the advances our species has achieved, still in our hearts we are as primitive and self-serving as those in Johannesburg who hack each other to pieces with spears and knives.”
Evander now felt a need to speak candidly.
“My friends, my brothers. Each of us feels much alike in these matters. I must confess that in the matters of your world, I have perhaps become more involved than I should have. Your world is not the first I have observed, but yours is the first in a very long time that I have taken such an interest in. Certainly it is partially because of the relationships we share. But that cannot be the only reason. There have been dozens, if not thousands who have come before you. Though it may dishearten you to hear me say this, your world is not unique among all the others. The difficulties you have faced are unique to you, but they are common among the other worlds. And to be quite honest, few have succeeded in rising above their own pettiness. Perhaps it is because I see such potential on this world that I have taken such an interest. I sense that events on Earth are rapidly approaching a point of no return.”
“This is what we sense too, Evander. That’s why we are speaking now.” Haden shifted uncomfortably on his bed.
“We still haven’t heard from Nahm, but it’s probably safe to assume the Russians and Chinese are still at it.”
“All indications are that they’ve reached an impasse,” reported Evander. “Our local transceivers all reported a marked decrease in military activity over the last few days. Perhaps their pandemic in Thailand has gotten the best of them.”
“Pandemic or not, they still represent a significant threat to the region. I’m worried that Nahm hasn’t reported in. Evander, I know it’s against protocol, but would you try to contact him?
“Only if you all agree it is necessary,” said Evander. “Already I fear that I may have gone too far.”
“My dear friend,” said Amon. “I’m sure we all agree that the severity of the situation warrants a higher degree of participation on the part of the Brighid.”
“Very well, then,” said Evander. “I’ll alert a unit to locate him and make contact.”
“As for this conclave here at the Hague,” Haden continued. “It seems pretty obvious that it’s not the big secret we all thought it was.”
“Perhaps that is why we have not heard from Sultanih. Perhaps he has been discovered,” Amon interjected. “That would explain your recent air attack.”
“Very possible,” said Haden. “Evander?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll re-task a unit immediately. The one assigned to him appears not to be activated.”
“I see now it is prudent that I return to Abdullah,” said Amon. “Regardless of Sultanih’s situation, it is imperative that we know the situation with the caliphs. Is he still in Bodrum?”
“Our last track indicated so,” said Evander. “The Turkish consulate still shows a suite of rooms reserved in his name. Shall I dispatch a shuttle to pick you up?”
“Thank you, yes,” said Amon. “When I’ve re-established with Abdullah I will contact you all so that we may plan our next move.”
THE ONSET OF REALITY