by Don Koch
President Johnson said, "Henry, Sam, you have dropped the proverbial ball in my lap. Do I think it can be done, yes. I will need to meet with the countries you mentioned, but if you are going to do some of the advance work that should smooth the path. We need a positive action plan to offset the trauma of last week. By the way, you have no idea how much money you have saved this country with the securing of borders worldwide. That is going to allow us to realign our military priorities. I am getting a deluge of units that want to shift wholesale to the Stations. I have told them I would be willing to talk to you about it. I also intend to talk to my counterparts about it to see if they are having the same experience. If I allow that before anyone else, it will look too much like I am trying to curry favor or political advantage. That will just cause more friction and animosity."
"What if I were to offer to host a meeting to all countries, this time voluntary, to discuss the issues I have brought up today. The oil producing countries are not going to be too excited about the idea but there are some things I can throw in that would sweeten that pot enough to overcome major objections. Its either that or get left out. In about another week, they will all be edgy about what an educated and healthy populace can do. I can spring the idea on them tomorrow and have a meeting in about a week on Station One. The agenda would be cheap power, safe transmission of that power, opening the door to space, and transfer of military personnel to stations. There will be some hooks for participation. For example universal suffrage and education and you know who is not going to like that."
The President said, "That would work but I might suggest a modification. Would it be possible for you to meet privately with the leaders of those countries mentioned to give them a heads up. It strikes me that this would work best with a single or at most two locations, preferably with little air traffic to reroute. The only real challenge that I see is how the resources will be distributed."
Sam said, "One thought there Mr. President is to create national shares based on some criteria to which the majority agree. Kind of like what Alaska has done with its Permanent Fund Distribution structure. Then have some additional shares that would be based on need as determined by the comparative level of technology, education, infrastructure, etc. That would continue until the nation reaches par with some predetermined criteria. The model is out there. I would also suggest that we will probably want to extend the border freeze to a point where that should stabilize."
The President responded, "I believe that would work but the devil is in the details. How is the real project coming along?"
Hank said, "Reasonably well, we will know if we are going to meet our target goals in about a week. No matter how we do this, there are going to be population disruptions. In a number of cases, that may be a good thing. I will definitely keep you up to speed on what is happening. I appreciate your seeing us on such notice."
"Son what you are doing is beyond political baloney. What you are now talking about may well lead to a worldwide peace of our own volition. So I will support you when I can because I believe in what you are doing. I will not ask for special favors other than treat our people equitably. I will give you access anytime you want to meet with me if I am not tied up in a public function." He shook hands with Hank and then Sam and said, "see you both next week." With that Hank and Sam disappeared.
Anna Wilson said, "Are they always like that?"
"Each time I have seen them they are. A truly amazing couple, the world is in good hands with them. Well, let's cut this short for now, I have some serious thinking to do. Don't let on that they were in here."
Barana spoke to them both saying,
After the Secretary had left, Barana again spoke to the President,
"Thank you Barana, Hank and Sam."
Chapter 18: Opportunity Knocks
Various capitals around the world –
November 5 – C Day 67
"Sam, I think I had better do China solo, would you mind doing Australia." Sam grinned and nodded ok, "Barana, would you please contact China and see if the Chairman will meet with me privately in his office and contact the Australian Prime Minister for Sam, same conditions. We also do not want an audio or visual record of the meetings so please confuse those as you did with President Johnson's office." Barana said that both parties were in agreement and both were alone. "Ok lets do this, see you shortly hon."
The discussions with both leaders were held along the same lines as their meeting with the US President. The Chinese Chairman assumed that the meeting was to be about Korea but Hank assured him that the issue was closed for now. He went on to state he was satisfied by the Station analysis that the incident had not been instigated by China. He then went on to describe how in one week about 270 million of his people availed themselves of the education and medical upgrades offered by the station and that they were now considering applicants for postings on the station. He indicated that he expected that trend to continue. He outlined the program he had in mind and told him of the countries he was giving advance warning. He said that it was up to the leaders to develop a plan for a consortium for the leases of space mining and freight operations he had in mind. He did say that the Station would maintain control over the technology and would lease it under reasonable terms and conditions but not to enrich a limited few. He broached the need for additional military personnel and that would be a consideration in how China would be viewed in the consortium.
Sam had a similar discussion with the Australian Prime Minister. They both then went on to visit with the Russian President who was receptive to the concept and willing to consider the transfer of military resources if they could stabilize the internal strife they were dealing with. He had no problem with their approaching former military commanders and retirees clearly categorizing them as excess baggage. The Russian president even offered to provide them with a listing of such persons. What he did not know was that the station already had a similar and more complete list.
Hank and Sam visited 16 leaders that day with general positive receptions. All were informed to prepare their ideas because they would each be named to the consortium development group to start working on a program.
After the meetings, the world leaders were invited to a meeting on the Station in one week to discuss the
issues listed with the Space consortium being the enticement. They were each permitted one advisor. Smaller countries were permitted to provide a proxy to the country of its choice, provided that no block of votes could exceed 25% of the total using that mechanism. The fly in the ointment for some was that the stations had imposed a mandatory participation in their education program for any nation wishing to have a say in the program.
In each country visited, it was clear that the migration to the stations for health and education upgrades were of considerable concern. The health upgrade was a stabilizing factor in populations where child mortality was a huge factor and early demise was expected. Some countries were not very happy that had changed. Countries with those types of population now had to recognize that the people being helped might be a force to be reckoned with. The education element was an even scarier proposition for those countries since it would be impossible to keep them uninformed and fuzzy thinking or rhetoric was far more likely to be questioned.
When the stations started reporting the extent to which landmine injuries were being seen, Hank suggested that they remove any found and transport them to Mercury to join their big brothers. In several instances, dictatorships were replaced with new democracies in part because foreign intervention could no longer support those regimes that would have required crossing a border that was station protected.
### Station 1 in Earth Orbit – November 7 – C Day 69 ###
Fador had shifted a large number of Antoran telepaths to Station One to aid in the screening of the many applicants expected. Hank, Sam and Fador wanted to garner as many telepaths as they could from the first group to aid in that screening process. In many cases the preceding week was among the most peaceful the telepaths receiving upgrades could remember having. This was in large part due to the shields provided by the station. The question was whether any of them were political plants or unreliable. Fador's telepaths along with Joann Wall, the psychologist, had developed a process to accomplish that and it was about to be tested. They would start with groups of 1000 and work up in numbers once they were satisfied that things were going well. The first group out of upgrade had 79,000 telepaths all on Station 1. The group was asked while still in their dwelling units how many wanted to request admittance to the station or a colony. A surprising number decided they wanted to apply, 71,000 in all. The remaining 8,000 were told that if they changed their mind, to go to one of the communication units and request screening. They were told that when they were ready they would be returned to either their homes or to the point where they asked for the upgrade. It then took about three hours to screen the remainder and the surprising result was that only 6,000 were found to be not acceptable. Sixty of these were terrorists attempting to circumvent the Station declaration that they would be sent to their point of origin.
An Antoran telepathic couple was paired with groups of three to four families to provide orientation and start the training process. This included substantial guidance on how to use the abilities, what was ethical and what was not and under what conditions. Portable shields were provided for all until such time as they were individually able to take on that function. Children would be taught that it was ok to be different and that also meant they had to respect the gifts and talents of others no matter how different they might be from their own. Their shields were set to prevent early burn out and for their abilities to develop normally. Since many of them had to subsistence farm for survival, they were shown how to take advantage of the recreational and social activities available on the station. The children were introduced to the variety of career paths they could follow. Education was monitored and counseled. For many it was a utopia. Field trips to the planets would be arranged with appropriate guidance and safeguards.
Adults would be trained in the methods used for screening and allowed to assist in those evaluations as they occurred thereafter. Those with an interest and aptitude would also be trained as recruiters. All would be cross-trained in non-telepathic fields of their choice. The upgrade in education apparently whetted the appetite for more because there was clearly a high level of excitement apparent in the newcomers. Part of the continued training dealt with the various cultures they would encounter.
Hank and Sam were discussing the next step and that was about the additional 800 million minus 79,000 who would be coming out of upgrade the following day. Screening should be easier now that they had some practice. Nevertheless, they were not sure what direction this would take. The first step would take place in their own dwelling units where their options would be explained to them through a general broadcast to all participants in the upgrade program. Hank said, "Well my dear are you ready. Here we go again."
Sam replied, "You bet!"
"Barana, would you please pipe me through to all participants who have completed the upgrade programs in their quarters with visuals and translation where appropriate."
"Greetings. I am Henry Stone and this is my wife Samantha. Together, we would like to thank you for participating in in the Antoran upgrade program. You should all be hearing this massage in your own language. At the outset, you were informed that there are no requirements for this participation. That holds true. If you were ill when you came aboard, that has now been cured. We wish you continued health and happiness."
"You now have some choices available to you. One, you can return home and continue life there. Two, you can apply to remain on station. Three, you can apply to be a colonist on one of the planets the Antoran fleet has located some distance from here and start a new life there. Let's outline each of these options."
"If you opt to return to your home, you will be returned to your actual living space, home or apartment there or if you prefer in the proximity of the communication device that brought you here. If you wish, you can remain on station for another four days to see what life here is like and to wander about before you decide to return home. Unfortunately, some of Earth's governments and portions of its population are not too happy that you have been offered this opportunity to improve your health and knowledge base. We are concerned for the safety of some of you. Accordingly, we are going to provide all returnees with some protection. The identification band you wear on your wrist is also a shield and a communicator that will continue to operate for the next 30 days. It will shield you from bodily harm that you have not initiated including actual physical assault, projectiles, knives, bullets, explosives, etc. If such an instance occurs, you will be instantly transported back to the station to see how we can help. This help can be in the form of return to a location nearby, relocation, or you can apply for life on a station or colony. It is intolerable to us that you should be penalized for improved health or having received an education. In addition, we will also provide you with a one-month supply of food to assure that you have enough to live on when you return and acclimate to life there."
"If you are a child or juvenile under the age of 18, we are bound to return you with your parents if that is their decision. Your wristband will remain active until age 18. At age 18 you will be asked if it is your decision to remain on Earth or choose one of the other options open to you. After that, the wristband will dissolve. A note on the wristbands, they cannot be seen by anyone except the wearer. They cannot be destroyed or removed. If you renounce the wrist band and it detects no external coercion, it will dissolve and disappear."
Sam took over saying, "The second option you have is to apply to live on station. As part of your education you have been taught what that means. These stations go in harms way to protect others threatened by that harm. We happen to believe that we are pretty much invincible but because we believe it does not make it so. If you elect this option, there will be a screening process. Part of this process will be to measure your ability to fit in with the station culture. Part of your education included comparative culture, comparative belief systems and comparative governance. You should know that station
s are essentially military bases and so there are strictures in place that are not too unlike those seen on military bases on Earth. There are restricted areas as you might expect. We have blended this with civilian governance that is essentially a democratic structure. For those of you from totalitarian locations, this will be a bit of an adjustment. It is what it is. You will have choices and you will have to make decisions. We can offer help by answering your questions as to the implications of the decisions you are considering. The liberty offered here does not mean you can do anything you want, but it does mean you are free to choose your path."
"If you are part of a terrorist organization, you will not be welcome here. We have a major task ahead of us and it does not include the use of terror. Terrorists generally attack non-combatants, to twist the aims of the body politic. That is not acceptable. If you engage in such activity or intend to do so, you will be returned to your country of origin and they can deal with you. This will be done without the protections of a wristband."
"If you view others particularly your wife and children as chattel, that is likewise not acceptable. Slavery is not acceptable and will not be permitted. Wives and children in that condition will be offered choices and protection."
Hank then picked up and went on, "The third option is to apply for a colony and perhaps that is not the best descriptive word for them. They are not colonies in the traditional sense where someone or some country exercised control over the colony. They were not self-governing or free. In my view, this is one of the more exciting things we can do for you. The Antoran Fleet exploration stations have identified nine worlds that are suitable for Homo sapiens. Four of these worlds have extensive resources both on planet and in system. These will be occupied first. This four are completely untouched and have huge areas where Earth type foods can be grown. In fact the indigenous plants and wildlife are quite similar to Earth. The terrain on these four are similar to Earth though the land masses are somewhat larger. The plains on these planets appear to be ready made for farming. The temperate zones are slightly larger than Earth on three of them and smaller on the fourth. The specifications on each can be requested via your wristband and viewed here. The planets available are Artemis, Betina, Cecilia and Diana. The information package on each runs about two hours so you will want to allow sufficient time to view each. Each of these planets are mountainous with large oceans. Colonists will be expected to establish their own governments. These, by your charter, will be self-governing democracies. No kings, royalty, dictators or the like. The Antoran Fleet will provide your external security. Each person 18 years or older has a single vote. You will not be subject to the whims or desires of governments on another planet, in another system. Once you decide on a planet, there is an additional packet available on specified parts of the planet. This will also give you the ability to select location and register it. There is no cost to this. You will be able to take some of your personal effects with you but it must fit in a storage container that is 4'W x 4'H x 10'L. We can provide some guidance on what will be of little utility there but this is essentially your decision."
