The Independent Worlds (The Sixteen Galaxies Book 2) Read online

  So, Kestil needed original stock, as it were, to properly harness the properties which made humanity unique, and precious. To achieve that, all Kestil had to do was stroke their pride and provide the means by which they could put up an appearance of progress. Hiram drew a deep breath. He wished he knew what their slippery opponent would do next, because time ticked away.

  *****

  TV studio, New York City

  Becky Carver smiled at the camera. “Welcome back. Tonight, we’re privileged to have Kestil with us; a representative of the Independent Worlds; the galactic society which is trying to help us save our planet. So, Kestil; before the break you told us about a machine which you claim rules the Sixteen Galaxies. Can you tell us more?”

  Kestil gave Becky Carver a small bow. “Thank you, Becky, I certainly can. Perhaps the word ‘machine’ is a little misleading. The Entity, which is the name the council gave their creation, is an AI, or artificial intelligence. It is actually a network of such intelligences; which includes every AI their society possesses. Every ship, every building, every device they use, is part of this thing. The only time any part of the Entity is disconnected is when it travels at faster than light speed. This network is incredibly intelligent, and that is where the real danger lies. Its inherent mental capacity means it is way smarter than any individual within their society.”

  “So,” Becky interjected, “it could mislead, or deceive, if it was so inclined?”

  “Quite,” Kestil replied. “It has total, and I mean total, control of the entire society of the Sixteen Galaxies. The councils defer to it in every decision they make. In my opinion, that is unbelievably foolish. We have a brain for a reason, and I seriously doubt that reason is to allow a machine to think for us.”

  “It sounds pretty scary, to be honest. Why do they let this thing control them, do you think?”

  Kestil shrugged. “I wish I knew, Becky. They seem to think its inherent intelligence makes it best suited to control them, I guess. My biggest concern is what it may have planned for the days ahead.” He raised a finger. “Remember, a being that intelligent will have plans that extend way into the future; much farther than you or I can see.”

  “So, what do you suggest is the best course for us, now, Kestil?”

  Kestil leaned forward, and the camera zoomed in. He looked straight into the lens. “I would say this to you all. Keep going, keep your eyes fixed down the road you are on. Your leaders are a good group of people, but they have much work ahead of them. They will need your cooperation in the preservation of your way of life. Yes, some changes will be needed, but humanity should be free to make those changes as and when it sees fit. You are the most creative and talented race of sentient beings in the known universe; make the most of that.” He sat back.

  “What kind of changes are you referring to?”

  “Well, Becky, I’ll be blunt for the sake of time. Your planet’s population lacks unity. You live on one planet, yet you have divided that planet up into so many pieces it takes one’s breath away.”

  “Do you mean we must restructure our entire political system?”

  Kestil laughed. “I am not saying you must do anything, Becky. I am merely here to offer some advice, that is all.”

  “Very well,” Becky replied, “are you recommending we should change our political structures?”

  “Indeed,” Kestil said. “You have more levels of government on this one planet than we have in our entire galactic society.”

  “But, our political structure has been developed over hundreds of years, Kestil. Surely, it must have some value after all this time?”

  “Oh, it surely does, Becky. Please don’t get me wrong, the democratic system you have here in the United States has many merits, in principle. However, humanity should have just one type of government, really. Instead, you have all kinds of different systems. And, those systems are incredibly cumbersome and complicated. Why, there are levels upon levels of government in this country alone, and look at the confusion it causes, never mind the expense.”

  “So,” Becky asked, “are you suggesting we should make a new kind of government, one that rules the entire world?”

  Kestil leaned forward and tapped Becky’s desktop. “You already have this government, Becky; you’ve had it in place since 1945. Though, at the moment, it encompasses only 193 member states.”

  Becky couldn’t completely stifle a laugh. “You mean the United Nations?”

  Kestil spread his hands wide. “Why is that so funny? You’ve spent untold amounts of revenue and effort on the United Nations. You’ve even progressed some way down the road toward unification. Political crises that involve member nations are taken to the security council. Food shortages, medical aid, and all sorts of problems are addressed by this body. Even hazardous goods across the globe are controlled by their UN number. Why stop there?”

  Becky nodded. “I’m sorry, it’s just that the UN has always been, well, a bit of a toothless tiger, so to speak.”

  “But,” Kestil replied, “Have you ever stopped to wonder why?”

  Becky shrugged. “I guess every country wants control of their own destiny. The idea of just one world government is…I don’t know, scary, I guess.”

  Kestil sat back and folded his arms. “But, you don’t know why that scares you, do you? You see, it’s all about trust, in reality. The establishment of a true one world government is hampered by your inherent distrust of one another. Any member country might gain too much power, to another’s detriment. The secret to success in this, Becky, is to give it time; a lot of time, to be honest. People need time to adjust their mindset and accept that it just might be possible to come together on this.” He flicked at an imaginary piece of dust on his immaculate suit. “I must remind you, though, that time is limited. You have a planet to save, and that cannot be fully achieved with the current political structures in place; it’s just too slow, wasteful and awkward, I’m afraid.”

  “Well,” Becky replied, “I guess we all have a lot to think about on that subject. It’s certainly going to see a lot of comment in the days to come, I bet.”

  “In the end, Becky, it is all up to you people. The Independent Worlds is keen to assist, if we are asked, but we can do naught but suggest. I can promise to be open, honest and frank at all times. However, the counsel we give may, at times, seem rather unpalatable. Humanity must choose whether any change is worth the cost. Otherwise, we would interfere in your development, and that must not happen.”

  “Unfortunately, Kestil, that’s all we have time for tonight. I’d like to thank you for agreeing to talk to us, and I hope we’ll have the opportunity to have you back in the near future; I’m sure there’s a whole raft of subjects our viewers would like to hear about.”

  Kestil smiled his thanks. “I’m more than happy to help wherever I can, Becky. Thank you for having me here.”

  *****

  Nuthros’ ship

  Truly put the ship back into its previous orbit of Earth. She scanned the space around the planet, but detected nothing out of place. Reception of broadcast signals presented no threat, so she could still monitor activity there. Her sensors were more than capable of deciphering which signals should be replicated and passed through the ship, so to speak, and which could simply be absorbed. It did not take her long to pick up a relay of the broadcast of Kestil’s interview; it was on high rotation in whole, or in part, right around the world.

  She replayed it for those on board. After it finished, Jack Short shook his head. “And I thought I was good at deception; this guy is a damned master at it. The two-faced lying son of a bitch is so twisted he must have to screw his hat on.”

  “He is playing a multi-level game,” Nuthros said. “On the one hand, in public, he wants to give the appearance of a simple ambassador, here to help in whatever way he can. On the other, behind closed doors, I have no doubt he will threaten the world’s leaders to conform or get squashed, in order to force them to restructure politica
lly. When he required governments to purchase Vincent products, he had no qualms in the use of a strong arm in both China and a number of other recalcitrant countries.”

  “The question is,” Truly said, “How will he do this? To eradicate so many levels of government and absorb them into the United Nations could take centuries. I doubt he wishes to wait that long. Every minute it takes is another minute we have to calculate a counter. He is on a tight time frame, and he knows it.”

  David sighed. “I guess we ought to focus on preparations for our activities on Earth; perhaps then we can get some answers. With Truly unable to connect to Earth’s technology in any meaningful way any longer, we’re impotent while we sit up here.”

  “Well,” Jack said, “you can count me in.”

  Ron smiled at him. “Looks like I got me a partner, then.”

  Jack shrugged. “It was you that changed my mind for me. Well, that and seeing Kestil’s smug face again. The next time I see it, it’ll be down the sights of a weapon, that’s for sure and certain.”

  David gestured for Jack to follow him. “Let’s get you ready for your enhancements, Jack. They will take some getting used to, and we’re on a tight schedule, too.”

  *****

  Global News Update

  “…The growing political unrest that followed calls from the Independent Worlds galactic society representative Kestil to globalize world governments has been inflamed even further today by mass protests from anti-globalization activists in New York, London, Paris, Madrid and many other state capitals around the world. Riots erupted between police and protesters in seven major cities. New York City saw injuries and bloodshed on an unprecedented scale as riot police were deployed to control protesters who threatened the security of the UN headquarters there. The Russian government has gone so far as to declare Kestil a global terrorist. The Chinese government is also in uproar, as hardline communist government officials express growing frustration at the lack of any real protest towards unification from the Chinese president.”

  *****

  Washington DC

  Robert Markham wandered out onto the front porch of his home. It was 2am, but he couldn’t sleep. He smiled when he spotted Drifter already there, a bottle of Bourbon and a glass on the little table beside him.

  Robert dropped into the seat beside him with a sigh. “Couldn’t sleep either, huh?”

  “Nope, never can. You sleep, you dream, and them dreams ain’t got no good stuff in ‘em, let me tell ya.”

  Robert smiled. “Most people call them nightmares, Drifter.”

  The old man shook his head. “Nah. Nightmares, now they’re much worse. The ones that don’t make me scream; them I call dreams.”

  Robert shook his head when Drifter offered him the bottle. He leaned forward, his eyes intent on his old commander. “How come it’s still got you so hard, Drifter? Me and the others, we’ve managed to move on; why you still got that monkey on your back?”

  Drifter sat back and stared at the night sky, clear and star studded. Much closer to DC and you got no stars; but out here some were still visible. “You boys, you had your jobs, right? Hangin’ out the doors, swingin’ them Pigs around.”

  Robert gave a gentle laugh at the mention of the nickname the Vietnam troops gave the M60 machine gun.

  “But me?” Drifter continued, “I had you boys in my chopper; your asses as well as mine. I had to keep the Huey alive, but I had to keep you boys in one piece, too. Every time Charlie put a hole in my chopper, I felt it. I knew every time the reaper missed one of you. He never did score more than a scratch, but it was no more than luck.” He poured himself another measure. “When I dream, he doesn’t miss.”

  Robert decided to change the subject. In conversation, Drifter would take to a tangent and wander along it for hours, hence his nickname. “Tell me something,” Robert asked, “what you think about this alien stuff?”

  Drifter shrugged. “Way I see it, we’re hosed. I don’t believe that crap this Kestil guy is peddling. Much more going down than that. We been done over before, Bobby; I ain’t interested in being rolled again.”

  “Drifter, you know the first alien, Nuthros?”

  Drifter nodded. “Yup, seemed like a decent guy. I ain’t buyin’ that he’s the bad guy, either; it don’t smell right.”

  Robert took a deep breath. He wasn’t supposed to say this, but he needed to share. “My boy is on Nuthros’ ship.”

  Drifter looked intently at his old crewman. “You for real, Bobby?”

  “I sure am, boss. He’s no ordinary kid, either.”

  The old chopper pilot scratched his head. “What the hell you mean by that?”

  Robert sighed. In for a penny, in for a pound. “Margie and I couldn’t have kids after the war, Drifter.”

  “Agent Orange?”

  “Probably. I never found out for sure. But, then we found out Margie couldn’t have kids anyhow; double whammy. Defect in her womb, or something. Anyway, Nuthros fixed us both; he heard Margie crying in a park the day we found out she couldn’t have kids.”

  Drifter nodded, “I knew he was the good one. The other one’s the devil in this. So, why’s your boy on that ship?”

  “When they…fixed us, they made him special; he’s like some kind of advanced human.”

  Drifter laughed and swallowed the rest of his glass. He refilled it straight away. “You tellin’ me your boy is a superhero, Bobby? Come on, man, that’s stretchin’ it a bit. I ain’t that drunk, yet.”

  Robert held up a hand. “You ever known me to lie, Drifter?”

  Drifter looked at Robert through narrowed eyes for full minute before he spoke. “Nope, can’t say as I have.” He sat back and shook his head. “Damn, but that’s a story. So, what the hell’s he gonna do? He gonna fight this Kestil guy?”

  “I wish I knew, Drifter,” Robert replied. “I wish I knew.”

  8

  Kestil’s base

  Barney Cantock was just about to strip his rifle when a man in his thirties walked up. Like so many of the new additions to the personnel in John Crabtree’s converted missile silo, the guy carried himself well; military, well trained and hard. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “Boss wants to see you, now.”

  Barney laid the rifle down and stood up with a sigh. He made his way from the main command room to a small hallway of offices and tapped on Kestil’s door.

  “Come in, Barney,” Kestil called. Barney shuffled in and Kestil waved him to a chair. Kestil stood up and checked the hallway, then closed the door. Kestil saw Barney tense and waved a hand at him as he sat back down. “Please, relax Barney. I’m aware that you and I don’t see eye to eye, and I’m sure you’d rather I had never showed my face on this planet. But, you and I are on the same side; John’s side. Is that not so?”

  Barney just eyed the alien and shrugged.

  Kestil sighed. “You are a man of few words, and I like that. However, I need to ask you a few questions, as I have a job in mind for you.”

  Barney shifted in his chair. “What sort of job?”

  “An important one, Barney; very important. You are perfectly suited to the task; I can assure you. But, you don’t like me, and that is a cause for concern. So, let me just ask you this; how dedicated are you to stopping the Sixteen Galaxies from taking control of this planet and the enslavement of your race?”

  Barney’s eyes never left the Kestil’s face. “I’m completely dedicated to stopping any aliens from taking control of our people.”

  Kestil blinked, and then smiled. “Honest to a fault, as always. Very good.” He leaned forward. “I think you misunderstand me, Barney. But, your distrust is natural. Let me explain some realities to you, and we’ll see what you think after that, okay?”

  Barney shrugged. “Sure, I got nothing better to do.”

  *****

  Global News Update

  “…The United States government announced today that the underground cyber protest group known as ‘Herald of the Truth’ ha
s been declared a terrorist organization. The rapid spread of this group, who openly support the galactic empire known as the Sixteen Galaxies, has created mass hysteria with their constant publication of so-called ‘Evidence’ that purports to prove that the Independent Worlds, and its representative Kestil, are a threat to global security. US President Maitland was quoted as saying today that ‘there is no real evidence that Kestil and his society have anything but mankind’s best interests at heart.’ Herald of the Truth activists have been arrested across the United States, in what some refer to as the beginnings of a police state. Some question the validity of the declaration of terrorism, but the government is holding fast to their decision and has said it will not back down until every last one of these subversives is behind bars.”

  “…In Africa, the city of Adamatzi is in turmoil, with the population being literally decimated by the drug Red Diamond. The infamous drug, which causes addiction with one taste, and kills the user if they try to stop taking it, flooded the city about four months ago. Since then, supplies have mysteriously dried up, and people are dying in their thousands. Mayor Ekene Emeka has declared the city under siege, and points to his campaign against drug use six months ago as the cause of the massacre. ‘The drug cartels declared open war on me and my administration just four months ago, and now my people are dying. We cannot fight this any longer.’ Mayor Emeka has announced his intention to step down from office, in a bid to stop the war. Many commentators say it is too little too late, and anyone previously hooked on Red diamond is as good as dead. The International Red Cross says all efforts to save the victims have failed.”

  *****

  Nuthros’ ship

  Jack sat on the edge of an inversion plate, a frown on his face. He held his arms out and looked them over. They didn’t appear any different. No huge bulges of muscle, no ropy sinews. Well, no more than there were before, anyway. He tapped his relaxed forearm with a finger. It was fairly hard, but no more than he was used to. So, he thought, where were the enhancements Truly supposedly added to his body? Maybe a quick test, then?