Chapter Two
Conference Room, DUCC, Washington, DC, December 5
President Bill Jacobs surveyed the faces of his cabinet from his position at the head of the large conference table in the Deep Underground Command Center (DUCC). Originally envisioned in 1963, the command center was built to provide a workplace for key decision makers that would be able to survive any attack made on the United States. The command center was built under the West Wing of the White House so that the president and his team could access it at a moment’s notice. It was the most secure facility on the planet, which made it the ideal place to hold strategy sessions. The only people that could penetrate its security were the Psiclopes. The president had already learned that trying to keep them out was just a waste of time, so he no longer bothered. He had nothing to hide from them, anyway, and more important things to do than worry about their spying.
You could almost tell what the news was going to be just by looking at the faces, Jacobs thought. The Secretary of Defense talked in an animated manner with the Treasury Secretary. Obviously the Defense Department had something ‘new and vital’ that the Secretary of Defense needed to come up with funding for. Commerce and the Interior were in a heated argument over something, probably the opening of yet another mine in a national park somewhere. The Secretary of Energy looked guarded as he talked with Labor; it looked like both good news and bad news from both of them. All of his cabinet was in attendance; the Speaker of the House, the President pro tempore of the Senate and Lieutenant Commander Hobbs were also attending in an ex officio status. He nodded to the vice president, seated to his left, who called the meeting to order.
“If I could have everyone’s attention,” said the vice president in a loud voice, “we’ll get this going. We have a lot to talk about, and the president thought that it would be good to have everyone in attendance.” He paused and looked at his notes. “It’s been six months since the Vella Gulf got back from its first mission. While there’s been a lot accomplished in that time, there remains a tremendous amount left to do. If an alien race invaded right now, we would not be prepared to stop it.”
It was a harsh statement, but the president knew it was true. A little over a year previously, three aliens had made their presence on Earth known to Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Shawn ‘Calvin’ Hobbs, who had just led a platoon that helped repulse a Chinese invasion of Seattle and Tacoma. The aliens told him that their communications link back to their home world had stopped working, and they needed help to find out what had happened. Believing that a hostile race was responsible for the outage, they had tried to find an alternate route to their home world rather than face a presumably superior force.
President Jacobs had agreed to furnish a crew for the aliens’ space ship, as well as a platoon of soldiers and the personnel needed to man the ship’s six fighters. He had also recruited some of the United States’ allies in the recently completed war to go along on the mission. The aliens had asked to have Calvin lead both the platoon and the fighter squadron but would not say why; most assumed that it was because he had led a number of successful operations during the war, but no one was sure. The aliens had so far refused to give the United States most of their advanced technology, saying that their society had rules that forbid technology transfer unless the world had a unified planetary government.
Although the mission had not been successful in reaching the Psiclopes’ home world or bringing back a replicator big enough to build battle fleet-sized space ships, they had returned with a Class 2 replicator that could build fighter-sized craft, as well as new laser technology. The Earth was stronger, but not strong enough.
President Jacobs’ list of things to do included little things like forming a world government, getting politicians to rewrite centuries-old documents and stopping an alien invasion without the tools and technology necessary to do so. Oh, yeah, he also had to win an election in order to remain president, too, which involved campaigning, kissing babies and holding fundraisers...all of which took away time from doing the really important things.
“This is not a working session,” continued the vice president. “If we try to solve every issue that we have at the moment, we’d be here for weeks.” The president heard other lengths of time mentioned around the table. ‘Years’ was the most common, followed by ‘decades, if ever.’ “Just give a progress report and note any issues that require presidential decisions.” He looked around the large table to ensure that everyone understood. “OK,” he said, looking to the woman at his left, “first up is State.”
As the person tasked with setting up the new world government, the president knew that the Secretary of State, Isabel Maggiano, had a lot that she was working on. “For those of you that haven’t heard yet, the Vella Gulf just returned from its trip to Epsilon Eridani.” The president knew that the ship had been badly damaged in a fight with an alien battlecruiser on its first mission, and that the quick trip to Epsilon Eridani had been taken as a ‘shakedown cruise’ to see how well its repairs would hold. “Its commanding officer said that it performed well on the journey. What you may not have heard is that the Epsilon Eridanians have formed a world government of their own and have petitioned for entry into the ‘Terran Alliance.’”
The secretary smiled wryly at the variety of comments she heard. “Apparently it is easier to form a government when there are only two nations that have to agree. Ambassador Flowers has been very busy. Not only did he get them to work out their differences, but also he helped them establish a unified government. Similar to the way we call our planet ‘Terra,’ they are now calling their planet ‘Domus,’ which is the Latin word for ‘home.’ Ambassador Flowers was able to keep them from sending their ambassador to the Terran world government this time, but he said that the next time the Vella Gulf comes through, we should be prepared to receive her. Hopefully, there will actually be a Terran world government by then.”
Maggiano shook her head. “Maybe this will help push things along with the nations to get the world government implemented. We currently have a draft constitution and bill of rights in place, but the devil is in the details, and we are continuing to hammer them out. I was just told yesterday by the Russian envoy that they would consider participating if one of their officers could have the executive officer position on the Vella Gulf the next time it goes out.” She looked at the president for guidance on the request.
The president saw Calvin’s hand go up but waved him off. “I am reluctant to grant them anything like this,” said the president, who knew it was more of a ‘demand’ than a ‘request.’ “If we give in at the start, they’ll always expect special treatment. Still, we need Russia’s support, for a number of reasons. Please let them know officially that we really want their participation, but we can’t guarantee any military postings, as those are made by a joint body of officers. Unofficially, you can tell them that if they join the government now, in full good faith, their officer will have the United States’ vote, as well as everyone else that we can convince.” That must have been good enough, the president saw, because Calvin put his hand back down.
“OK,” said the vice president. “Next up, Treasury.”
“I don’t think that we are going to be able to make the target of spending 30% of our gross domestic product (GDP) on defense this year,” he advised. “There were just too many other priorities that we already had to fund. Going forward, though, we ought to be able to meet the target as we shift around some of our spending. With everyone now expected to work, we should be able to cut some of the federal assistance programs, which will make a big difference. We are also going to reclassify some of the spending that we are doing that is related to defense, like opening new mines, under the category of ‘defense spending.’” He nodded. “We’ll get there next year.”
The president also nodded; he had been briefed on that earlier. “Good, thanks,” he said.
“Defense?” asked the vice president.
“We’re proceeding across a wide variety of fronts,” replied the Secretary of Defense. “With regard to our immediate security, we have mined the two stargates into the Solar System. Heavily. We estimate that any ship that is battleship-sized or smaller will be instantly destroyed, as well as several more after that, depending on their size. We are continuing to develop additional types of defenses for the stargates. If we don’t stop them there, we have little hope of stopping them.” Once again, the president nodded. Nothing new there.
“As far as future operations go,” the Secretary of Defense continued, “we are still expecting to send the Vella Gulf back out in seven months. We have got to get either a replicator that can build ships, or find an ally to sell us some. We need to develop a fleet before the Drakuls show up.” Most heads around the table nodded; several secretaries that stood to lose money to Defense looked less than thrilled.
That was the big question, the president knew. When would the Drakuls show up? As they were 10’ tall bloodsucking frogs, the president hoped the answer was never; however, the Psiclopes had said that they thought the Drakuls were close by and moving in the Earth’s direction. Time was running out.
“When the Gulf goes out, it will also have a more integrated crew,” the Secretary of Defense added. “The executive officer of the ship on its last cruise will be promoted to commanding officer. LCDR Hobbs will remain in charge of both the space fighter squadron and attached special forces platoon. We are hoping to have a full squadron of space fighters this time, including six with the new laser technology that we got on the last mission. That will make them more capable, although they will still be a relatively ‘light’ force if they run into a group of bigger combatants.” Defense nodded to the vice president. He was finished.
“DOJ?” asked the vice president.
“We’re working a number of issues,” noted Mark Keely, the Attorney General who led the Department of Justice. “First, we’re following the progress of a number of constitutional challenges to the governmental changes we’re making. Some of these have merit, so we’ll have to address them.” He looked at the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate. “Ultimately, we’re probably going to need a constitutional amendment in order for the U.S. to become part of the Terran Government.” Both men nodded.
Looking around the table, he could see some blank looks, so he added, “A proposal for an amendment to the Constitution requires either a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures. In our history, no amendment has ever been proposed by constitutional convention, so that’s unlikely. Once Congress proposes an amendment, it goes to each of the states for their consideration and ratification. We need it to be ratified by three-fourths of the states, or 38 of the 50. Once ratified, it gets signed into the Constitution.” He paused. “It is the opinion of Justice that this process should be initiated as soon as possible, while public opinion is still in favor of a world government. If we wait for all of the coming court battles, it’s possible that some of the dialogue in the process will make the amendment’s passage more difficult. We can delay the court cases for a while, but not indefinitely.”
Both the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate nodded. The Speaker said, “We understand our part in this process, and that this is the only way for us to survive as a race. While we both have some personal reservations about the integration of our nation into an overarching body where we have a loss of sovereignty, we agree that it must be done. We will begin working this afternoon to develop a quorum to get the amendment through Congress. After that, it will be up to the president and state legislatures.”
“Understood,” replied the Attorney General. “In conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, we are also working on a reduction in crime and terrorism. As our new programs come online, there are going to be many organized crime syndicates and other less-than-honest individuals looking to take advantage of the situation. We intend to ask the AI on the Vella Gulf to point out where criminal activity is occurring and root it out. We don’t need to authorize any wire taps because we will not be involved in any illegal surveillance.” He could see concern on the faces of many people sitting around the table. “We have been looking at the legality of this, and there is no legislation on the use of extraterrestrial artificial intelligences in crime prosecution. We expect that Congress will need to address this going forward, but we intend to do what we can in the interim.”
“Perhaps it might be good to give the country advance notice that you are going to do that,” remarked the President pro tempore of the Senate. A long-time veteran of the political process, he not only knew where bodies were buried, he had a few of his own that he wanted to make sure stayed buried. “That way, people that have been operating in any ‘gray’ areas can make sure that everything they are involved in is above board.”
“I already did that,” replied the president in a no-nonsense tone of voice, “when I welcomed the Psiclopes to our planet.” He thought about it a moment and then relented. “But you’re right,” he conceded; “we should probably give people a little notice so that they can ensure the legitimacy of what they’re doing.” He remembered a certain land purchase he had been considering and made a mental note to cancel the deal after the meeting. Can’t be too careful, he decided.
“I’ll do that,” the Attorney General agreed. “That’s it for Justice.”
“Interior?” asked the vice president.
“I have to protest the rhenium mine that has been proposed for the National Park Service land in the Eldorado Wilderness area of Arizona,” stated the Secretary of the Interior. “They are going to destroy valuable park land that cannot be replaced! It was bad enough when some of the other mines were reopened, but this one goes too far!”
“I also want to protest this mine,” agreed the Secretary of Health and Human Services. “Not the mine itself, but the fact that all of its production is slated for defense. At least some of it needs to go toward medical applications. Rhenium is needed for a large number of things like treating restenosis and liver tumors. All of it right now is going to defense.”
“We’ve got to have it,” said Defense. He had known this argument was coming. “Rhenium is used for a number of critical defense purposes like rocket thrusters, high temperature thermocouples, and molybdenum superconducting alloys. There is a lot of it that goes into making the space ships, space fighters and shuttles that are our first line of defense. Not only do we need all of this mine’s potential production, but we also need every last bit that we can get, worldwide!”
The president nodded. Defense may have gone a little strong on the argument, but he had a point. Americans wanted more park land; the Earth needed more spacecraft. “Open the mine,” said the president, “and earmark its production for the replicator on the moon.” Interior looked crushed. “We need the ships,” the president said to Interior in apology. “There’s no need for park land if we’re all dead.”
The vice president looked at his list. “Agriculture?”
“We are working to put as much arable land as possible into production,” noted the Secretary of Agriculture. “With industry moving off the planet to the moon, and more people working, we’re going to need more production. We’re also working with Transportation to ensure that we have ways to get the food to market, whether that is in the U.S., somewhere else on Earth or in space. Hopefully, there will be some shuttle time available for food distribution. Its ability to take off and land like a helicopter lets it get into wherever it’s needed.”
The president looked hopefully at Calvin, who only shook his head slightly. The president had already spoken with him earlier to discuss why he couldn’t use one to fly to Germany and back. Calvin had held his ground about their schedule being packed; they must really be that busy.
The vice president nodded to Commerce.
“We’re busy everywhere,” said the Secretary of Commerce. “If the days were 30 hours long, we still wouldn’t have enough time to get half the things done. The most important tasks involve working with Transportation to get raw materials where they need to be to help the war effort. We’re working hard across the entire department. Even the Bureau of Patents is busy as some of the new technology is filtering its way down. I’d second Agriculture; we need more shuttle time.”
“We’re as busy as everyone else,” commented the Secretary of Labor, whose turn was next. “If not even more so. Our re-employment offices are working 24 hours a day to find jobs for everyone.” She looked at the president. “Your proclamation to end welfare grants to the states in two years has everyone scrambling. Our Occupational Safety branch is undermanned to inspect all of the new businesses that are starting, especially the mines that are opening. These are dangerous occupations at the best of times, when people aren’t cutting corners trying to increase production so substantially. A lot of our re-employment services are being used to train people to fill holes in our own organization. Our budget will be bigger next year; it has to be to cover all of the new positions required to ensure safety in the workplace.”
“Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)?” prompted the vice president.
“I don’t have as much as some of my fellow secretaries,” noted the HHS Secretary. “Mostly, for us, it is business as usual. As transportation worldwide is increasing, we are on the lookout for the transmission of diseases. Additionally, with all of the adults being required to find jobs, our Administration for Children and Families is working to set up programs for child care and to watch for an increase in child abuse.”
“We are looking at ways to provide affordable homes for the workers in the new industrial areas,” said the Secretary for Housing and Urban Development. “It involves a massive building effort that requires transporting tremendous amounts of raw materials, but we can use land-based shipping for that. It also puts a lot of people to work,” she said, looking at Labor.
“Transportation?” asked the vice president.
The Secretary of Transportation shrugged. “You’ve already heard what I’ve got going,” he said. “We need more shuttles, as fast as we can get them. If I had 100 of them, I could use them all.” He looked at the Secretary of Energy. “Next.”
“We’re working on developing Helium-3 power plants to increase electrical capacity, as soon as we can get a continuous supply of it from the moon,” replied Energy. “We’re also investigating a variety of other power options to fill the need that the additional industry is going to bring. Our power grid was already stretched pretty thin before the Chinese hit it during the war. Many of our power plants and transmission systems sustained damage in the war that still hasn’t been fixed yet. We’re hiring anyone that knows anything about power and power transmission.”
“As far as the National Laboratories go,” Energy continued, “they are working full time to develop new sustainable power sources, whether that is power plants or engines for automobiles. We have the technology to put better engines in our cars and trucks, as well as to make them last longer; the auto industry has dragged its heels in implementing them.” She looked at the two congressmen. “I’d love it if some of the members of Congress would put aside the money they get from the auto makers and implement some tougher auto standards, especially for fuel economy. That would help a lot.”
“That’s all I have time for,” announced the president, looking at his watch. “I have to go catch an airplane flight to Germany for a Terran Government meeting.” He looked pointedly at Calvin. “Is there anything else that needs my decision? No? OK, thanks for your input. I know everyone’s busy. When you get tired, remember, we’re not only working to save the planet, but the entire human race.”
KIRO-TV, Channel 7, Seattle, WA, December 7
“In national news this evening, the White House announced a major new initiative to crack down on crime,” read KIRO’s anchorwoman, Anna St. Cloud. “In a joint press conference, President Bill Jacobs, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security announced the end to major crime and criminal networks among states of the Terran government.”
The scene shifted to the president standing behind a podium, flanked by his two cabinet members. All wore serious looks on their faces. “A friend of mine once told me,” the president said, “that where there is confusion, there is the opportunity to profit. While these times are as confused as any in our history, it is not time to profit illegally from it. We don’t have the time or resources to lose to criminal activity at either home or abroad. I’m here today to warn all crime gangs, terrorist organizations and other less-than-honest individuals that any illegal activity will be dealt with harshly.”
“Don’t think you can hide,” continued the president, “We intend to ask the artificial intelligence on the spaceship Vella Gulf to point out where criminal activity is occurring, and we will use this information to root it out. We simply can’t afford to waste any of our resources. We need everything we’ve got to make our country stronger and more prepared for the imminent alien invasion, not in lining the pockets of unscrupulous individuals.”
The camera shifted back to Bob Brant, the station’s new co-anchor. “While the president’s announcement was greeted with approval by the law enforcement community, others in Washington were less enthused. Dave Rickland, the head of the national office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had this to say.”
The camera shifted to Rickland, standing on the steps of the Capitol Building. “We will do everything in our power to halt this unjust invasion into citizens’ privacy. This is truly a day that will live in infamy. Today, the president set up a two-tiered system for law enforcement, arbitrarily separating citizens into two unequal classes, those that have the power to hide and those that don’t. The people that control this glorified computer can use it to track down anything that their opponents are doing wrong, while keeping it from looking at their own affairs. Anyone that is not in the political ‘in crowd,’ will be arbitrarily denied their rights.”
The camera shifted back to Bob Brant. “The ACLU has promised to fight the new measures with all of its resources,” said the co-anchor. “It looks like it’s going to be a long and nasty battle.”
TSS Vella Gulf, Dark Side of the Moon, December 18
“Of course I can give you that information,” replied Solomon. “Looking into any terrestrial computer network is easy. Although I may not have all of the alliance software upgrades, I am centuries ahead of any computer technology on Earth. Your strongest codes take me less than two seconds to break. Give me an hour, and I’ll have a list of the locations for most of the top 100 ‘Most Wanted’ terrorists, as well as the major cells for the top five terrorist organizations in the world. Some of the terrorists might be sleeping, which will make them difficult to locate, but in a couple of hours I can put together a list of the whereabouts of most of the known members of the Tamil Tigers, Hezbollah, the Taliban, Hamas, and Al-Qaeda. Give me a day, and I’ll have most of the top terrorists and organizations located.”
“Will that use much of your memory?” asked Bullseye.
“No,” replied Solomon, “that will all take place in just my memory buffers. That’s how easy it will be.”
“Good,” replied Bullseye. “In that case, I have a few more things I’d like you to research...”
* * * * *