The Orion Deception

by Tom Bielawski

  As was usually the case, this day the Members were embroiled in a heated debate with much shouting and name calling from various sections in rows of plush chairs. The Prime Minister stalked to the podium amidst the chaos, the place traditionally offered the PM when he visited the Hall. Slowly the Hall quieted as the Members realized what had just happened, he had reached the podium unchallenged. The assembled MPs had not expected the PM to arrive in a military uniform and had probably dismissed his presence as a mere general coming to testify before them. The opposition MPs missed a critical moment where they might have cheated procedure and had the man arrested had they understood he was already there. A series of jeers and boos sounded from a remote corner of the opposition section, the rest of the Members seemed solemn enough, despite their consternation over his choice of attire. He smiled broadly. They knew something was up.

  The Page of Parliament announced formally that the Hall was in Session and that the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth was now presiding.

  "Good evening," he said, dropping his smile. Arnold decided to cut to the chase. "I will dispense with formalities due to the exigent circumstances. As you may or may not know, the Commonwealth has become irreversibly fractured." A mixture of applause and jeers followed that statement.

  "Our great society has drifted into two diametrically opposing societal views. The middle ground has been lost, and the Commonwealth has declared war on itself." A general hubbub drifted through the crowd of Members and those who gathered to witness the rare proceedings. Few of the Members knew what was to follow. "As you all know, three of the Drift States have withdrawn from the Commonwealth: Palmetto Drift, Freedom Drift, and Liberty Islands Drift to be specific.

  "An historic and tragic chain of events transpired during the night that has led to the utter destruction of Liberty Islands Drift State." At the conclusion of that statement the assembled Members erupted into a mixture of outrage and cries of grief. Mike LeFevre activated the video feeds from the Commonwealth intelligence assets in the region and bathed the Hall in a live account of the tragic events.

  "As you can see, ladies and gentlemen," the PM thundered over the noise of the crowd, quieting them down. "As you can see, the rebellious drifts engaged in hostile action against a peaceful convoy of the Commonwealth." Indeed, the video feeds now showed in great detail an armada of civilian and military ships flying under the colors of the various aforementioned drifts, assaulting the lightly protected convoy. "Many of you thought the first media reports that came in were true, that it was an unprovoked attack. Well it was, by the renegade drift states.

  "This convoy was on an urgent mission of peace, the white banners of truce were clearly displayed in stark contrast against the darkened hulls of the Commonwealth ships. And the Drift States attacked them anyway," the crowd of politicians grew noisy. Some were angry and shocked and others were calling for retaliation. But Arnold knew how to play to a crowd and his contrived story of a baseless attack took the wind out of the sails of his opposition. "Please, honorable ladies and gentlemen, stay calm.

  "The convoy was carrying an emissary of historic proportions. In the thousands of years of documented human history, one thing has never been accomplished that this one visitor proved beyond doubt." The assembled Members quieted in anticipation of the announcement. The Members would be wondering what he could possibly say that wasn't just a political ploy to save his neck and his career. "That we are not alone in the universe. Ladies and gentleman, the emissary was in fact an alien being from another solar system on a mission of peace!"

  Arnold kept a serene countenance, there would be no call for his accounting today. Not yet. But he knew he would have to go farther than to simply announce the crimes of the Drift Sates.

  "I know you have many questions and I will endeavor to answer them all here, now. The magnitude of the occasion, and the bittersweet irony, has deeply saddened me. For the first time in the history of humanity, the question of whether we are alone in the universe has been answered beyond doubt. First Contact was made with the Commonwealth yesterday morning. A lone emissary on a mission of peace, and ironically of mercy, came to a Fleet Outpost bearing a white flag as he knew it was our symbol for peace.

  "The emissary was part of an exploratory expedition from the star system we call Rigel in the area we know as Orion. Their purpose was to seek out other intelligent life, engage in trade, and share in the advancement of technology. They too suspected that they were alone in the universe until one of our deep space probes from so long ago reached a probe they themselves had sent into deep space. Once the veracity of the emissary's story was established we endeavored to bring the emissary directly here, to Palace Drift, to meet with all of my esteemed colleagues in the Parliament."

  Arnold let that message sink in. After several minutes of oratory he silenced calls for comment or debate from his peers, as only the Prime Minister was authorized to do.

  "The emissary and his convoy came under heavy enemy fire, even though they were on a mission of peace. After confirmation that they had been attacked without provocation, I ordered the Commonwealth Fleet to come to their aid. By now you know the results of that combat.

  "Even in the face of an overwhelming defeat, the savages from the Drift States have spoken and peace was not upon their tongues. The malcontents from the Drift States have been a thorn in the side of our great society for many years now. They have been an obstacle to progressive thinking and equality of wealth," the PM was raising his voice to be heard over the objections of his opposition. "They would have the cherished few true sons and daughters of Earth suffer in the chains of their successes! The Drift State scum will be made to pay!

  "Therefore, with heaviness of heart, I have donned the uniform of the Commandant and I humbly accept the powers granted unto me with the office of Commandant of the Fleet." The crowd quieted as the executive security order written earlier in the day flashed across the vid screens and holodisplays. "And so it is, my fellow servants of the Commonwealth, that I now undertake this historic announcement. The dawn of the destruction of our Commonwealth is here and drastic measures must be made to save it! The rebel Drift States have declared war upon us and our peaceful intentions! Their xenophobia and hatred of those unlike themselves caused this tragedy and has forced my hand! I declare to you now that the Commonwealth is under Martial Law until such time as I can ensure the survival of our great society!"

  The crowd erupted again. Some of the gathered Members were outraged by the announcement and clamored for the arrest of the Prime Minister anyway, others shouted encouragement and support. The Members representing the Drift States that had not withdrawn from the Commonwealth feared what may come next. Some tried to exit the Hall but were blocked by the Prime Minister's Guard, others stood tall and waited for their inevitable arrest. They had just become the scapegoats for the Commonwealth's war.

  "Our intelligence assets have determined that the remaining Drift States still within the Commonwealth have colluded with the rebels and supplied them with the arms and munitions that made this attack possible!" the Members not affiliated with the Drift States began to clamor and point at the those from the Drift States. "It pains me now, as I'm sure it does you, that in addition to Martial Law I am suspending Parliament and ordering the detention of all MPs representing any of the Drift States until this rebellion is suppressed and our Commonwealth is healed! The Parliamentary Guard Force is now under my own command and will immediately be disarmed"

  At that moment the great doors leading into the Chamber opened and the Prime Minister's own Guard stormed the Hall from several directions. Each MP from the Drift States had been identified and within a minute all had been arrested and marched out in shackles before their peers.

  "Let this be a lesson to us all: evil sits among us and we must root it out!" The Prime Minister was shouting to the thunderous applause of the remaining Members who had not been detained. Some threw things at their shackled counterparts, others spit at them, a
nd a very few seemed indifferent to it all. "We must crush it beneath our heel and ensure those responsible for our woes pay dearly!"

  By the time Prime Minister Horatio Arnold had finished speaking only his supporters remained in the Hall. He took time to mingle with the MPs who had been loyal and endured their cheers and shoulder clapping for some time. He bestowed compliments on some and appointments to offices on others. Soon after, Chief of Staff LeFevre appeared beside the adored PM with a contingent of his guard. With a humble and sincere look of apology, the PM exited the Hall and returned to his office. Once inside he sat at his desk and Mike settled onto the luxurious sofa.

  "That was amazing, sir."

  "Excellency," said Arnold pointedly.

  "I'm sorry?"

  "Now that I am Commandant of the Commonwealth, the proper term is Excellency," said Arnold modestly. Mike took the rebuke in stride. "You might as well get used to it now."

  Just then the Fleet Marshal, Anton Vladimir, entered the PM's office and embraced his old friend warmly. "Congratulations, Your Excellency! You did it! In one fell swoop you arrested all that was left of your opposition."

  "Thank you, Anton."

  "Sir," Mike interrupted, looking at his handheld computer. "I mean, Your Excellency. Reports are coming through diplomatic channels that the current member Drift States wish to hold truce talks. And the renegade drifts are willing to come to the bargaining table!"

  "It is a trick, Mike."

  "Your Excellency?" he asked, uneasy. Arnold glanced at Mike, wondering if the man truly understood just how far he was into the Commandant's coup.

  "Issue an order to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are at war and all communication with our enemies must be channeled through you, directly to me. Is that clear?"

  " But what reply will we give to the request for negotiations?"

  "Officially?" asked the Commandant.

  "Y-yes, your excellency."

  "None. Officially, there is no answer. Unofficially, I want them to understand that there will be no quarter."

  "That shouldn't be a problem, they want to talk,," said LeFevre, becoming angry.

  "He does not get it, Your Excellency."

  "You are right, Anton. He doesn't. Please shoot him," replied the Commandant as he calmly walked to the liquor cabinet. He glanced at LeFevre and smiled at the incredulous expression

  “You can't be serious!” the man shouted in anger. “Who do you think you are?” Arnold scowled at LeFevre as Anton calmly drew his pistol. He would not tolerate any equivocation in his new administration.

  CRACK

  It was done. LeFevre was lying on the floor, blood staining his shirt as he gasped his last incredulous breath.

  "Anton, have that cleaned up. Prepare a statement concerning the information that has come to light about Mike's collaboration with the enemy and eject his body into space. Find out where his family is and arrest them all."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Congratulations, Anton. You are my new Chief of Staff. Now, please ensure that the rest of the Fleet is outfitted with the weapons we need."

  "As you wish, Your Excellency. The assault shall go on as planned?"

  Arnold paused a moment, calmly sipping brandy from his fine crystal glass. "Come to think of it, Anton, perhaps we will offer the enemy quarter. Though I rather believe they will wish we hadn't!"

  Chapter

  Eleven

  ~

  "What do we do?" asked Lainne, dejectedly. "How will we ever find Will?"

  Lainne sat on plush sofa in the living room of their luxury apartment suite, a vid screen that ran continuous advertisements about drift activities flickered in the background. Her head was in her hands, she looked dejected and overwhelmed. Gelad walked about the room using a device that scanned for hidden security sensors. Satisfied there were none, he sat down on the sofa next to Lainne.

  Heck stood at the sliding glass door that led to a balcony overlooking the blinking lights of Technology District, thinking.

  "Ms. Connor, I chose this very resort for a reason."

  "You did?" Lainne looked up at Gelad, bleary eyed and weary. "Why?"

  "This is the resort drift from which Dr. Connor sent his last communique to you."

  "How could you know that? I didn't even know that."

  "I cannot divulge my sources-"

  "He spied on you, Lainne," interrupted Heck. He turned away from the window and looked hard at Gelad. "Isn't that right? You were surveilling Dr. Connor and his work for some time. His work was of great interest to your government and you wanted it."

  Lainne's expression changed from confused to angry. She glared at Gelad, his silence affirming the ex-lawman's accusations. "What? Why?"

  "Because, Lainne, he is a spy. That's what he does. As much as we would love to believe he wants to help from the goodness of his heart, Gelad has a job. And he has a boss. And his boss wants the FTL research information more than they want the schematic layout of this drift."

  "Why didn't you say so sooner?" she demanded of Heck. "Why let the charade go on?"

  "We didn't have a choice," he grumbled quietly, looking back out over the balcony. "Gelad and his people have been watching you for a while, Lainne. It's why Gelad just happened to appear as the pilot of that shuttle when he did. The prisoner routine was a ruse."

  "Not entirely a ruse, Mr. Thomas. He was certainly a target of ours, and I was pursuing him for the murder of many ISP officers, but at this point we were more interested in what he was after than himself," said Gelad, businesslike. "When did you figure that out?"

  "I was on to you from the beginning," he said simply. "I don't believe in coincidence, Gelad. I may not have known exactly what your game was until we were further along, but I certainly knew you were a player."

  "Damn you, Gelad!" Lainne looked stricken, hurt. She left the sofa to stand beside Heck.

  "Don't be too hard on him, Lainne."

  "What? Why not?" she asked, angrily glaring at the Israeli.

  "Because, in this case his motivation is not completely relevant. Not at the moment, anyway. The fact is that he and his government are helping us achieve our goal of finding your brother."

  "That is correct, Mr. Thomas. I am trying to help."

  "And on that point, we agree. But forgive me for being skeptical. While I would like to believe we'll all go our happy and separate ways after this is over, I wonder if your government can allow Lainne and me and Dr. Connor to just disappear."

  Gelad nodded his head thoughtfully. Heck wondered at that. Was Gelad silently acknowledging that this situation was far more complicated than he wanted to admit? Was Gelad going to be conflicted about what to do when that situation came about? If so, Heck figured he might be able to exploit that sentiment.

  "A while back I mentioned to you we might have to consider living in the Outer System, beyond the reach of the Commonwealth and those who fear what we now know. Do you remember?" he asked Lainne, with a meaningful glance at Gelad. Truthfully, Heck didn't know where they would end up. He had thought perhaps an anonymous existence on a drift in the Inner System like Churchill Drift, or in the Belt; maybe even a remote location on Earth or Mars. But he wanted Gelad to think he was aiming for the Outer System.

  "Yes," she whispered. That idea had truly frightened her. She had not wanted to think about anything that far ahead, all she wanted to do was think about finding her brother.

  "Let's hope our good friend Gelad will remember that too, when the time comes." Gelad seemed to understand Heck's hidden meaning but could not verbally acknowledge it.

  "Enough of this," said Gelad, gruffly. "I think I have proven my loyalty to you both. As I was saying, Ms. Connor, your brother stayed in this very resort. The casino in which he was allegedly carousing and gambling away Aurora's money is on the top floor of the building. I think we should make an appearance there."

  "Isn't it odd we haven't been captured yet?" asked Lainne. "I mean, you've said that you lost contact wi
th your spies pretty quickly after they arrived. Does that mean we fooled them?"

  "No," said Heck. "Whoever is running this drift is very in tune with what is going on. This drift brings in people from everywhere, but only the ones who are part of government intelligence gathering entities and brilliant scientists have disappeared. They've noticed us, and now they want to see what we are up to before they make their move."

  "I agree. There is no reason to believe otherwise. Every informant that we sent to this drift disappeared at this point in their reconnaissance."

  "And that robot taxi driver never reported back the results of his search in the Convention Registry."

  "I was wondering about that," mused Lainne. "So, we just go up to the penthouse and start playing slot machines?"

  Heck suppressed a smile at her naivety. "This isn't the type of casino you’re used to seeing in Florida, Lainne. It's a casino for the System's wealthiest most powerful elite. We are talking high-stakes poker, blackjack, roulette, and other games that might have just a hair of danger to them."

  "So, there are presidents and CEOs and kings in this place?" Lainne was uncomfortable with the thought of going up against such powerful people.

  "Yes. And the heads of crime families and drug cartel kingpins. This type of high dollar casino is neutral ground, where good treaties can be negotiated or very bad corruption can take place," offered Gelad.

  "My brother would never get involved in this!"

  "I know, Lainne," said Heck comfortingly. "But it's the only lead we have and the people who run this place know it."

  "It's a trap," she said dully. "Just like it was for him."

  "That is quite possible, Ms. Connor."

  "Lainne," said Heck gently. "We have to prepare to be taken prisoner. Tonight."

  Heck and Lainne stepped out of the elevator onto the main casino floor. Heck was wearing a tuxedo and Lainne a brilliant evening gown that made her look like a queen. The casino was not like most touristy casinos or seedy underground gambling houses Heck had been to as he chased felons across the Solar System.