12
The Pledge
Peter wished he could have witnessed the historic meeting between Rammel Garcia and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He couldn’t believe the government had been lying to the American people for over fifty years.
“The day after the meeting with the Ambassador,” the Councillor continued, “Rammel met with the director of the CIA and a delegation sent by the President to commence negotiations. Rammel explained to them our plight here on Tarizon and how we thought they could help us. It was our intention to make the Repopulation Project voluntary. We had read of the great pioneering spirit of the American people and were sure many would volunteer to help conceive a new generation of Tarizonian citizens. We also were planning to go to many nations on Earth for help and share our technology with them as well in exchange for their assistance; however, the CIA had other ideas. They forbade us to go to any other nation. They wanted the technology for themselves and promised to give us the new generation of citizens that we needed.”
“That sounds like our government,” Peter said. “I guess that partly explains why the United States has been so powerful over the years. It’s had the advantage of Tarizon’s technology.”
“Yes, they also insisted that the project remain top secret. They explained that there would be general panic if the American people found out that alien life actually existed and that a project like the one we were proposing would cause such a moral outrage that it would never be approved by Congress.”
“They may have been right about that. The press would have gone nuts over something like this,” Peter agreed.
“Anyway, the CIA designed the Repopulation Project to allow Tarizonian men and women to travel to Earth, marry Americans, raise a family and travel back to Tarizon when all the children were old enough for deep space travel. Of course, the tragedy of the project was the innocent spouse being left behind not knowing what happened to his or her family. But this was the CIA’s doing, not ours. They insisted that no American go to Tarizon except to prevent the project from being discovered. It is under that provision that you were brought to Tarizon.”
“How did my father get involved in the project?” Peter asked.
“Over the years our numbers on Earth grew and it was inevitable that some of them would get into trouble. Most of the problems the CIA could deal with, but occasionally the legal entanglement they found themselves in required the CIA to recruit attorneys into the program to defend them—attorneys who would be sure that the project would not be inadvertently revealed. Your father was one of those attorneys recruited for the project.”
Peter drew in a deep breath. “I see. That explains a lot.”
"Yes, I hope you will forgive us for all you and your family have been forced to endure.”
Peter shrugged but didn’t say anything.
“Anyway, as I was saying, we need your help. Since you are from Earth, have no allegiances here, and can now see that by helping us you can help your own world as well, I assume we can trust you."
"Of course, I'll do whatever I can to help."
The door opened and Brille walked in with Rhin. The Councillor stood up and smiled. Rhin strolled over to Peter and sat. The Councillor smiled and said, "Well, it is true. I never dreamed I'd see the day that a rhutz would walk into my office as an ally in the battle to protect the Supreme Mandate. This is truly extraordinary."
Rhin nodded, seeming to understand the Councillor's awe. Peter squatted and began petting Rhin. He motioned for the Councillor to join in. The Council stepped forward, bent down, and patted Rhin gently on the back.
“Good, boy,” the Councillor said. “Good to have you aboard.”
“Actually, Rhin’s a girl,” Peter said.
He laughed. “Sorry, girl.”
“So, who are Videl Lai’s supporters?"
"Three of the seven generals of the TGA for starters. We believe they are planning the assassination of Chancellor Bassett Alls and, if that happens, Vice-chancellor Videl Lai could legally step in and take control of the government with the help of the three generals in his pocket If we allow that to happen it will likely mean the end of the Supreme Mandate and the rule of law on Tarizon."
"Do you know any of Videl Lai's plans?"
"No, we have infiltrated his staff but our spies inside have been unable, so far, to get any detailed plans of the assassination. These types of plans are kept highly confidential until close to the time of implementation. We were just lucky we learned about the assassination attempt at the spaceport in time to do something about it."
"So, what do you want me to do now?" Peter asked.
"Well, I have let the word out that you are staying at my home in hopes that you will impregnate my daughter Lorin."
"Huh?"
"Don't worry. It's not true, but it would make no sense for an intern to be living with a Supreme Councillor, so we have to have a way to explain it.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Lorin has a mate whom she loves and would not betray.”
“I thought love was frowned upon by Central Authority.”
“It is, but love does still exist. It’s a human emotion that can’t be extinguished entirely. It’s only discouraged now because some people think it impairs the repopulation effort. Personally, I’d like to do away with the whole mating systems and let people pick their own mates, like they do on Earth.”
Peter nodded. “Who is Lorin’s mate? I’d like to meet him.”
“His name is Jake Boskie. He’s a fighter pilot for the TGA. He'd kill you if you laid a hand on Lorin, but he understands that you must spend some time with her for appearance sake. Will you do that?"
Peter shrugged. "If it's necessary, sure, but a cover should be believable. Who's going to believe a father would bring in a man to—you know, I mean a father would try to keep the men away. Besides you have the sperm bank. You could send your daughter there."
"Unfortunately, most of what is donated is poor quality and should be thrown away, but there’s such a demand for sperm that the technicians sometimes will relax their standards. Because of that, nobody in the government would let their daughter near a sperm bank. You wouldn’t want your grandchild to be born a mutant and suffer that curse for their entire life. That's why this cover is so good."
The Councillor stood up. "Well, I must leave now for the morning session. Brille will show you to your office and brief you as to your duties as my intern. If you have any questions we can discuss them tonight at dinner. If I'm not home when you get there, Lorin will show you around."
Peter stood up and nodded. "Yes, sir. I'll see you tonight then."
After the Councillor had left, Brille showed Peter to his new office. It was small but adequate for what he'd be doing. Like any new job, he felt out of place. He had no clue what he was supposed to be doing, so he got bored and started crumpling up paper into balls and throwing them into a waste basket. After awhile Rhin got into the game and intercepted one of his shots. They started playing and were having a great time when Lorin walked in. Peter looked up and said, "Hello."
Lorin looked at Peter and wondered how this kid from Earth could possibly be mistaken for the Liberator. He knew nothing about Tarizon and didn't seem to care about anything except having sex with his guide and playing with his rhutz. It had been a mistake pretending he was the Liberator, she thought. But she'd been through Earth Shuttle 21's passenger list and there was nobody else who could possibly be the Liberator. She was sure the Prophecy must be a hoax or someone’s wishful thinking. She frowned and asked impatiently, "What are you doing?"
Peter stood up and wiped off his pants. He felt very embarrassed and wondered if Lorin would tell her father that she'd caught him playing with Rhin when he should have been working. "I'm sorry. I haven't been given any assignments yet, so I . . . Rhin and I were just killing time."
She shook her head. "You're the Liberator? Sandee help us. . . . Has my father told you of the urgency of our situat
ion?"
Peter nodded. "Briefly, Vice-chancellor Videl Lai and the three generals are plotting to overthrow the government."
"Yes. Well, I doubt they are playing games these days."
"Right. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I just feel so out of place here. I want to help, but I don't know what I can do."
"Do you have any military training?"
"What?. . . No. I haven't even graduated from high school yet."
"Any special skills?"
"Like what?"
"Are you a pilot? A hunter?"
"No, but I'm a good writer and I'm on the debate team."
She frowned. "Well, the first thing you'll need to do is learn your way around the capital complex so you can make deliveries and do the normal chores of an intern. You'll also need to learn Tari, of course, so you can communicate with people and in case you overhear something important, you'll understand it."
"Tari? I don't know. I'm not so great at foreign languages."
She half smiled. "Don't worry, we have a system for teaching that is very effective, even for slubdubs."
"Slubdub? What’s a slubdub?”
She stifled a laugh. “Moron, halfwit, idiot—.”
“Thanks a lot. I may not be a nuclear physicist but I have other talents."
She raised her eyebrows. "You mean in the bedroom? I heard you've already got your guide pregnant."
"Yeah, well, I aim to please."
She shook her head. "Come on. I'm going to take you to see my mate. He's anxious to meet you, although I don't know why."
Lorin walked out the door and Peter wondered whether to follow her or stay put in protest. He couldn't believe her attitude. It was apparent she hated him already and he didn't know why. Reluctantly, he followed her out of the building with Rhin at his heels. Just outside a side entrance was a small aircraft. Lorin pushed a button on her belt. A hatch opened and a ladder descended to the ground. Without skipping a beat, Lorin climbed into the craft. Peter started to follow her and then thought about Rhin. She wouldn't be able to climb the ladder so he picked her up and put her aboard. Then he climbed up and stepped inside.
Lorin had already taken a seat in the solo cockpit. There were four passenger seats, so he strapped Rhin in one as best he could and sat in the one next to her. Rhin didn't seem the least bit nervous about being in the ship which kind of surprised Peter, but he guessed she trusted him not to put her in danger. He just prayed her trust was warranted.
The ship lifted into the air about twenty feet and then began moving forward in a smooth rapid motion. There was no engine noise which surprised him greatly. He wondered what kind of propulsion system the ship utilized. Whatever it was it was amazing!
There were several portals in the body of the ship. He watched their flight out of the one to his right. After about twenty loons he saw they were approaching some sort of military base. There were thousands of aircraft parked on the runway, mostly fighters, it appeared, but also other types that he didn't recognize. A minute later they landed and stepped out onto the tarmac.
In the distance a vehicle that looked like a large floating golfcart approached. He assumed it was Lorin's mate. It came to a halt in front of them. A tall, dark-headed man, who looked to be in his mid-twenties, jumped out and embraced her. He gave her a kiss and then looked over at Peter and smiled. "You must be Peter," he said.
Peter nodded. "Yes."
"Jake, meet our Liberator," Lorin said in a sarcastic tone.
Jake frowned. "What's wrong, Lorin? Did something happen?"
"Lorin doesn't seem to like me much," Peter said. "I guess I wasn't what she expected."
Jake raised his eyebrows. "Well, first impressions are often deceiving."
Lorin shook her head and said, "I'm just disappointed. Peter has no military training, no significant skills or knowledge, and absolutely no idea what's going on here on Tarizon. He couldn't possibly be the Liberator!"
As Lorin was ranting, Rhin jumped out of the aircraft and landed on the tarmac next to Peter. Jake's mouth dropped open as he studied the rhutz. Peter bent down and began petting her. Jake said, "So, it is true. The Liberator will tame the rhutz. Look at that!"
"He can't be the Liberator," Lorin objected. "When I came to get him he was playing a game with a trash can."
Jake smiled. "That's an earth game—basketball, isn't that what it's called?"
"Yes," Peter said, smiling gleefully at Lorin.
Her eyes narrowed and she turned away. Jake said, "So, the rhutz couldn't be wrong, I mean. Have you ever met a rhutz that would let you pet him?"
Lorin shrugged. "Are you going to gamble the future of our world on the judgment of a dumb animal?"
Rhin's ears perked up and she growled at Lorin. Peter said, "This dumb animal saved my life, so show her a little respect."
Lorin took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Rhin. I didn't mean it. I'm sure you are very smart. I'm just not sure your master is who he says he is. I wish you could talk so we could find out why you are so sure he’s the one."
"Listen. I don't claim to be the Liberator, okay?” Peter assured her. “It's your father and that mutant, Threebeard, who say it. I'm quite happy being Peter Turner. Just send me back home and I'll forget any of this ever happened."
"Nonsense," Jake said. "There is no doubt you are the Liberator. I've heard of Threebeard. He's one of the most intelligent persons in the galaxy and only one of a very few who can speak to the Nanomites. If he thinks you are the Liberator then you must be."
Peter raised his eyebrows. "So, if he's right, what should I be doing?"
Jake shrugged. "We've got a lot to do to prepare you for the task ahead. Videl Lai is making preparations to seize control of the government. We can't let him do that."
"How much time do we have?" Peter asked.
"One cycle at best, maybe less."
"Well, I'll do whatever it takes to stop him, but you all are going to have to give me some direction. I have no idea where to begin."
"I'll discuss it with father tonight," Lorin said. "We'll come up with a plan and pray to Sandee that you'll be up to the task."
Jake smiled, "In the meantime let me show you around the base."