Don't be so sure... I'm full of surprises. 
"Shades of Gray"
- Thread starter BolianAuthor
- Start date
-- CONTINUED --
NYPD INTERROGATION ROOM - NEW YORK CITY
The dozen Orvani prisoners all sat around the table that had been placed in the middle of the room, as the Orvani Commander and President Bensen stood nearby, looking at them, as in the corner, a group of NYPD officers and Secret Service agents stood watch.
The Orvani Commander paced, as he addressed the group.
"I just want to know why... I'm trying to get to the bottom of this... I had one mystery on my hands, and now I have two... so I ask you... why did you abduct the crash survivor? Is it because of his age? Is that the question you were trying to answer?" he ased them.
The twelve Orvani looked to each other, as if they were discussing it over in their minds, until they looked back to the Commander.
"Yes." the spokesperson of the group began. "We had to answer the question of if he was one of the Brights or not." he added.
"Brights?" the Commander asked, puzzled.
"The only others of our kind, that are of advanced age... the Designers... if he was one of them, which we think he is... it would go a long way towards answering some questions we have, about any affect he may have had on this species." he added.
"What are you talking about? There are no Designers left... they're all dead. If a Designer was still alive, he'd be ancient... the wisdom he'd have accumulated..." the Commander began.
"The Designers ARE still alive... it is because they live, that all other Orvani keep dying at younger and younger ages." the one Orvani stated.
"What are you talking about?" the Commander asked, now squinting a bit, as he moved a few steps closer to the group.
The group again appeared to be mulling some thoughts over, as the one again faced the Commander.
"What we are about to tell you has until now been kept a great secret from our people... we are working to bring this matter into the light, but the time must be right... the wrath of the Brights is strong and swift." he began. "You see, Commander... there were two phases to the Grand design... but the public only ever knew of the first. You see... the installation of our neuronics was only the first step... that was meant to be the foundation... a begining, that would ensure that whatever knowledge our species had, would be kept secure, and shared... never lost. But there was more... the second phase of the Grand design, was to "force" our entire species into hyper-accellerated evolution... the Brights wanted us to advance at a much faster rate, to secure our dominion as a superior species. There was only one way to do that... force the species to learn and process information faster... once we learned how to learn faster, we would therefore be able to learn more, quicker. But how would one go about forcing an entire species to accumulate knowledge faster?" the one asked.
"My God..." Bensen uttered, mostly to himself, as he realized what was about to be uncovered.
"That's right..." the one continued. "There was only one way... the Brights initiated the second phase of the Grand Design, and through genetic manipulation, shortened the natural lifespan of our species, by design. The thinking was that with less time to live, a species would be forced to learn faster. The faster we learned, the more we learned, and since we now never forgot what we learned, each generation got smarter, and smarter, and smarter... but also died sooner." he stated.
The Commander was floored... he did not know how to react to this.
"How the... how could they... how could they do that, without the public knowing?" he asked, shocked.
"Who knows? Perhaps something introduced into the water or food... or even in the air itself... the point is, it happened... that's why we abducted the survivor, and why we've abducted others from this world, as well." the one added.
"What do you mean... you've been here before?" the Commander asked.
"Yes... but we are doing the good work... we are taking samplings of the human population, and testing them... making sure that the Brights have not manipulated them in the same way, or that this world's own scientific community hasn't been doing that kind of work yet... because if the humans go down that path... they will never return... they will be just like us... a dying species." the one said.
"You said you're doing the good work... who are the others... the one who are doing the bad work?" Bensen interjected.
"That would be the Brights themselves... they are also abducting members of your species... but for a much darker reason... you see, they realize now, the flaw in their Grand Design... they have engineered their own species into oblivion... within maybe three generations at the most, the Orvani species will cease to exist. We have learned all that is to learn... experienced all that is to experience... we accumulate information, and process it, but that is all... everything we do is procedural... academic... we have lost the ability to "feel"... to experience and savor the raw emotions of existance... there are no more goals... nothing more to look forward to... we simply exist... we simply... are. So the Brights know this, and are desperate to save the species... infuse new life into it." the one offered.
"How would they go about that?" the Commander inquired.
"By attempting to infuse the human genome into our own... the Brights are trying to create a new generation of Orvani... a hybrid race. They are impregnating some human females, and then extracting the offspring, and maturing them on Orvan. Their hope is that the human DNA will augment the Orvani DNA, and provide the new hybrid generation with the longevity of the human species." the one related, as the Commander and President Bensen looked to the group, stunned.
-- TO BE CONTIUED --
NYPD INTERROGATION ROOM - NEW YORK CITY
The dozen Orvani prisoners all sat around the table that had been placed in the middle of the room, as the Orvani Commander and President Bensen stood nearby, looking at them, as in the corner, a group of NYPD officers and Secret Service agents stood watch.
The Orvani Commander paced, as he addressed the group.
"I just want to know why... I'm trying to get to the bottom of this... I had one mystery on my hands, and now I have two... so I ask you... why did you abduct the crash survivor? Is it because of his age? Is that the question you were trying to answer?" he ased them.
The twelve Orvani looked to each other, as if they were discussing it over in their minds, until they looked back to the Commander.
"Yes." the spokesperson of the group began. "We had to answer the question of if he was one of the Brights or not." he added.
"Brights?" the Commander asked, puzzled.
"The only others of our kind, that are of advanced age... the Designers... if he was one of them, which we think he is... it would go a long way towards answering some questions we have, about any affect he may have had on this species." he added.
"What are you talking about? There are no Designers left... they're all dead. If a Designer was still alive, he'd be ancient... the wisdom he'd have accumulated..." the Commander began.
"The Designers ARE still alive... it is because they live, that all other Orvani keep dying at younger and younger ages." the one Orvani stated.
"What are you talking about?" the Commander asked, now squinting a bit, as he moved a few steps closer to the group.
The group again appeared to be mulling some thoughts over, as the one again faced the Commander.
"What we are about to tell you has until now been kept a great secret from our people... we are working to bring this matter into the light, but the time must be right... the wrath of the Brights is strong and swift." he began. "You see, Commander... there were two phases to the Grand design... but the public only ever knew of the first. You see... the installation of our neuronics was only the first step... that was meant to be the foundation... a begining, that would ensure that whatever knowledge our species had, would be kept secure, and shared... never lost. But there was more... the second phase of the Grand design, was to "force" our entire species into hyper-accellerated evolution... the Brights wanted us to advance at a much faster rate, to secure our dominion as a superior species. There was only one way to do that... force the species to learn and process information faster... once we learned how to learn faster, we would therefore be able to learn more, quicker. But how would one go about forcing an entire species to accumulate knowledge faster?" the one asked.
"My God..." Bensen uttered, mostly to himself, as he realized what was about to be uncovered.
"That's right..." the one continued. "There was only one way... the Brights initiated the second phase of the Grand Design, and through genetic manipulation, shortened the natural lifespan of our species, by design. The thinking was that with less time to live, a species would be forced to learn faster. The faster we learned, the more we learned, and since we now never forgot what we learned, each generation got smarter, and smarter, and smarter... but also died sooner." he stated.
The Commander was floored... he did not know how to react to this.
"How the... how could they... how could they do that, without the public knowing?" he asked, shocked.
"Who knows? Perhaps something introduced into the water or food... or even in the air itself... the point is, it happened... that's why we abducted the survivor, and why we've abducted others from this world, as well." the one added.
"What do you mean... you've been here before?" the Commander asked.
"Yes... but we are doing the good work... we are taking samplings of the human population, and testing them... making sure that the Brights have not manipulated them in the same way, or that this world's own scientific community hasn't been doing that kind of work yet... because if the humans go down that path... they will never return... they will be just like us... a dying species." the one said.
"You said you're doing the good work... who are the others... the one who are doing the bad work?" Bensen interjected.
"That would be the Brights themselves... they are also abducting members of your species... but for a much darker reason... you see, they realize now, the flaw in their Grand Design... they have engineered their own species into oblivion... within maybe three generations at the most, the Orvani species will cease to exist. We have learned all that is to learn... experienced all that is to experience... we accumulate information, and process it, but that is all... everything we do is procedural... academic... we have lost the ability to "feel"... to experience and savor the raw emotions of existance... there are no more goals... nothing more to look forward to... we simply exist... we simply... are. So the Brights know this, and are desperate to save the species... infuse new life into it." the one offered.
"How would they go about that?" the Commander inquired.
"By attempting to infuse the human genome into our own... the Brights are trying to create a new generation of Orvani... a hybrid race. They are impregnating some human females, and then extracting the offspring, and maturing them on Orvan. Their hope is that the human DNA will augment the Orvani DNA, and provide the new hybrid generation with the longevity of the human species." the one related, as the Commander and President Bensen looked to the group, stunned.
-- TO BE CONTIUED --
Wow, you ARE full of surprises! And here I was thinking that the humans were being abducted to serve as processors for some sort of Orvani central computer! Man, was I WAY off...
-- CONTINUED --
ORVANI SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
The Orvani Commander stood alone, leaning over the command table, as his crew worked around him. He was lost in thought. Ever since he and the President had left the police station, he had been deeply unsettled by what the Orvani in custody had told him.
He could not wrap his mind around the possibility that his entire species was on the brink of extinction. Not only that, but that his OWN people had made it so. As highly intelligent and advanced as his race was, he could not begin to understand how some of his kind could have been so stupid, to do what they did. The Orvani had been absolutely blessed, by the creator of all things, with a remarkable gift... their minds could truly "see" the universe... delve into its very essence... they KNEW how time worked... how the universe worked... they understood the nature of the molecular universe on levels that perhaps the human species would never even begin to dream of achieving themselves. They were mere steps away from being a species that was about to ascend into virtual godhood.
But now, all that would never be. Was ALL of it an illusion... a feeble attempt by the minds of mere Orvani men, to one-up that natural process of evolution, in the name of hyperadvancement? Were the gifts that nature herself lavished so abundantly on their species not enough for them? Were there those among his kind that were so very impatient, that they would destroy the very essence of what made them Orvani, just to skip the steps of evolution?
He looked up from the command table, and slowly looked around the bridge... taking in the sight of his fellow Orvani, going about their daily duties, blissfully unaware of the darkness that was about to befall their race. It wasn't right, the Commander thought. His people had learned too much... gone too far... invested too much, to allow this to become reality.
As he looked at his fellow Orvani, the words of the Orvani in custody echoed in his mind... that within a mere THREE generations, his entire race would end. That would be it. Everything his great race had ever done... all of Orvan's science, literature, art, music, philosophy, the accumulated knowledge of over two million years of evolution and advancement... all of it... all of it would be gone. Simply would end. Orvan would no longer be a home, and would become a massive museum to a dead species that once was... that had perished just a few metaphorical feet away from the doorstep to total understanding... an all-encompassing and total command of the universe itself.
He felt an overwhelming wave of sadness and regret wash over him, as he watched his crew work. If there were those in his race that held such power, and abused it in ways that they could do this to their own race, he was surely now ashamed to be Orvani. He could answer anyone's question about how to travel from one galaxy to the next, or how to manipulate time, or how to separate the molecular bonds of an object, and reconstitute them back into purity, but for all the knowledge of his vast mind... he could not for the life of him answer the basic question of why. Why had the Designers done this?
And the humans... if they were being used as a part of this, they also had a right to know... and also, to understand. He had to make this matter known... to both sides, human and Orvani alike. He had to bring the dark truth into the light.
He looked for his Course Designer, and once he found him, gestured for the man, and the officer walked to his Commander.
"Yes, Commander?" he asked.
"I want you to begin designing a course back to Orvan... figure out the most efficient alignment for the voyage, and inform me when you have the earliest possible chronospatial alignment coordiantes." the Commander stated.
"Aye, Sir." the man began, confused. "Are we... are we returning to Oravn, Sir?" he asked.
"We are... the rest of our people are staying here, on Earth. If all goes well... we'll be back to join them soon." the Commander added, as he now began to leave the room.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
ORVANI SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
The Orvani Commander stood alone, leaning over the command table, as his crew worked around him. He was lost in thought. Ever since he and the President had left the police station, he had been deeply unsettled by what the Orvani in custody had told him.
He could not wrap his mind around the possibility that his entire species was on the brink of extinction. Not only that, but that his OWN people had made it so. As highly intelligent and advanced as his race was, he could not begin to understand how some of his kind could have been so stupid, to do what they did. The Orvani had been absolutely blessed, by the creator of all things, with a remarkable gift... their minds could truly "see" the universe... delve into its very essence... they KNEW how time worked... how the universe worked... they understood the nature of the molecular universe on levels that perhaps the human species would never even begin to dream of achieving themselves. They were mere steps away from being a species that was about to ascend into virtual godhood.
But now, all that would never be. Was ALL of it an illusion... a feeble attempt by the minds of mere Orvani men, to one-up that natural process of evolution, in the name of hyperadvancement? Were the gifts that nature herself lavished so abundantly on their species not enough for them? Were there those among his kind that were so very impatient, that they would destroy the very essence of what made them Orvani, just to skip the steps of evolution?
He looked up from the command table, and slowly looked around the bridge... taking in the sight of his fellow Orvani, going about their daily duties, blissfully unaware of the darkness that was about to befall their race. It wasn't right, the Commander thought. His people had learned too much... gone too far... invested too much, to allow this to become reality.
As he looked at his fellow Orvani, the words of the Orvani in custody echoed in his mind... that within a mere THREE generations, his entire race would end. That would be it. Everything his great race had ever done... all of Orvan's science, literature, art, music, philosophy, the accumulated knowledge of over two million years of evolution and advancement... all of it... all of it would be gone. Simply would end. Orvan would no longer be a home, and would become a massive museum to a dead species that once was... that had perished just a few metaphorical feet away from the doorstep to total understanding... an all-encompassing and total command of the universe itself.
He felt an overwhelming wave of sadness and regret wash over him, as he watched his crew work. If there were those in his race that held such power, and abused it in ways that they could do this to their own race, he was surely now ashamed to be Orvani. He could answer anyone's question about how to travel from one galaxy to the next, or how to manipulate time, or how to separate the molecular bonds of an object, and reconstitute them back into purity, but for all the knowledge of his vast mind... he could not for the life of him answer the basic question of why. Why had the Designers done this?
And the humans... if they were being used as a part of this, they also had a right to know... and also, to understand. He had to make this matter known... to both sides, human and Orvani alike. He had to bring the dark truth into the light.
He looked for his Course Designer, and once he found him, gestured for the man, and the officer walked to his Commander.
"Yes, Commander?" he asked.
"I want you to begin designing a course back to Orvan... figure out the most efficient alignment for the voyage, and inform me when you have the earliest possible chronospatial alignment coordiantes." the Commander stated.
"Aye, Sir." the man began, confused. "Are we... are we returning to Oravn, Sir?" he asked.
"We are... the rest of our people are staying here, on Earth. If all goes well... we'll be back to join them soon." the Commander added, as he now began to leave the room.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Wow. You've really done an amazing job at making the cryptic greys relatable despite all the differences between them and us. I feel for the Commander, though--he seems like he could be flying into major trouble! And Earth is about to get caught in the middle...
Thank you. And I have not forgotten about Area 51, either... that is part of this much larger puzzle.
-- CONTINUED --
WHITE HOUSE LAWN
The cool night air filled the lungs of the Orvani Commander, as he stood outside the White House. Normally, temperatures this cold would have been deathly cold for an Orvani, but the military uniform of the Commander kept him at a constant comfortable temperature.
The sounds of dozens upon dozens of crickets filled the air, as the Commander extended his arms outward, looking up and closing his eyes, as if basking in the sounds around him.
After a moment, the President appeared in the distance behind him, and began to walk to him. Sensing the man, the Commander turned to face the President, as the two men met.
"Commander." the President opened, as the Commander now turned to again face away from Bensen.
"Can you hear it, Mister President? Can you hear the chorus?" the Commander asked.
There was silence for a long moment, as the President paused, hearing nothing but the sounds of crickets.
"All I hear are crickets." Bensen offered.
The Commander again closed his eyes, and moved his head about, as if he were "feeling" the music.
"Glory! Glory! Glory!, they sing!" the Commander began. "They sing not to you, nor to me. Theirs is a song for the universe. They sing to the stars." he added. "It is so relaxing... so peaceful... so clear."
Another long moment of silence passed, before Bensen replied.
"You... understand them?" he asked, as the Commander again turned to face him.
"You said you hear the crickets." the Commander began. "But have you ever LISTENED to them?" he added.
"I suppose not." Bensen replied.
The Commander wore a look of resignation, as he faced the President.
"That is all it takes." he began. "To simply listen. You have no idea, Mister President... your planet... it's absolutely overflowing with intelligent life. You are by no means anywhere near the only intelligent species here... merely the most dominant. This entire planet is a vast chorus of voices... a delicious blend of millions upon millions of languages and intelligences." he added.
"But why worry about a bunch of crickets? After all, your species is so advanced, you can travel between galaxies... why bother listening to some mere insects?" Bensen asked.
"You know now, that we have the ability to overpower your mental faculties, right?" the Commander started.
"Yes." Bensen replied, trying to hide his distaste for that experience.
"The Orvani are not telepathic." the Commander offered. "Not one of us is, or ever was."
"Then how--" Bensen began.
"--We listened." the Commander started, cutting him off. "Your own species has not even set foot on any planet beyond your own star system, yet we bothered to communicate with you... took the time to listen to you, and learn how to understand you. How does that make your species any greater than the crickets?" he asked. "To listen is to understand. To understand is to gain knowledge. Knowledge is power... the ultimate and supreme power. Without knowledge, nothing can be. Not language, not the building of homes, weapons of military power, or even starcraft that can skip across the universe, like a stone across a pond. How ironic... that the dominant species on this planet would call itself intelligent, yet has absolutely NO idea of the nature of intelligence. You have not even begun to grasp the most basic fundamentals of the definition and scope of intelligence." he added. "Just because these crickets of yours cannot build a city, or a vehicle, does not make them unworthy of being fully understood. Every life form has an intelligence.... a story... a legacy. Even a cricket has something it can teach you, Mister President." the Commander finished, looking to Bensen, as the President just looked back, not sure what to add.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
WHITE HOUSE LAWN
The cool night air filled the lungs of the Orvani Commander, as he stood outside the White House. Normally, temperatures this cold would have been deathly cold for an Orvani, but the military uniform of the Commander kept him at a constant comfortable temperature.
The sounds of dozens upon dozens of crickets filled the air, as the Commander extended his arms outward, looking up and closing his eyes, as if basking in the sounds around him.
After a moment, the President appeared in the distance behind him, and began to walk to him. Sensing the man, the Commander turned to face the President, as the two men met.
"Commander." the President opened, as the Commander now turned to again face away from Bensen.
"Can you hear it, Mister President? Can you hear the chorus?" the Commander asked.
There was silence for a long moment, as the President paused, hearing nothing but the sounds of crickets.
"All I hear are crickets." Bensen offered.
The Commander again closed his eyes, and moved his head about, as if he were "feeling" the music.
"Glory! Glory! Glory!, they sing!" the Commander began. "They sing not to you, nor to me. Theirs is a song for the universe. They sing to the stars." he added. "It is so relaxing... so peaceful... so clear."
Another long moment of silence passed, before Bensen replied.
"You... understand them?" he asked, as the Commander again turned to face him.
"You said you hear the crickets." the Commander began. "But have you ever LISTENED to them?" he added.
"I suppose not." Bensen replied.
The Commander wore a look of resignation, as he faced the President.
"That is all it takes." he began. "To simply listen. You have no idea, Mister President... your planet... it's absolutely overflowing with intelligent life. You are by no means anywhere near the only intelligent species here... merely the most dominant. This entire planet is a vast chorus of voices... a delicious blend of millions upon millions of languages and intelligences." he added.
"But why worry about a bunch of crickets? After all, your species is so advanced, you can travel between galaxies... why bother listening to some mere insects?" Bensen asked.
"You know now, that we have the ability to overpower your mental faculties, right?" the Commander started.
"Yes." Bensen replied, trying to hide his distaste for that experience.
"The Orvani are not telepathic." the Commander offered. "Not one of us is, or ever was."
"Then how--" Bensen began.
"--We listened." the Commander started, cutting him off. "Your own species has not even set foot on any planet beyond your own star system, yet we bothered to communicate with you... took the time to listen to you, and learn how to understand you. How does that make your species any greater than the crickets?" he asked. "To listen is to understand. To understand is to gain knowledge. Knowledge is power... the ultimate and supreme power. Without knowledge, nothing can be. Not language, not the building of homes, weapons of military power, or even starcraft that can skip across the universe, like a stone across a pond. How ironic... that the dominant species on this planet would call itself intelligent, yet has absolutely NO idea of the nature of intelligence. You have not even begun to grasp the most basic fundamentals of the definition and scope of intelligence." he added. "Just because these crickets of yours cannot build a city, or a vehicle, does not make them unworthy of being fully understood. Every life form has an intelligence.... a story... a legacy. Even a cricket has something it can teach you, Mister President." the Commander finished, looking to Bensen, as the President just looked back, not sure what to add.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Wow...that description of the crickets singing to the stars that way really evokes a number of psalms and hymns.
If we are silent, even the very rocks shall cry out...
Beautiful work.
If we are silent, even the very rocks shall cry out...
Beautiful work.
^
Thank you very much.
The scene was meant to be very emotive. I think the Orvani Commander gave the President a thing or two to think about.
I actually got the inspiration for that post while listening to "White Is In The Winter Night", by Enya. Part of the last line of the song is in the post.
Thank you very much.
The scene was meant to be very emotive. I think the Orvani Commander gave the President a thing or two to think about.
I actually got the inspiration for that post while listening to "White Is In The Winter Night", by Enya. Part of the last line of the song is in the post.
^
Again, thank you kindly.
Again, thank you kindly.
-- CONTINUED --
THE WHITE HOUSE
The morning light crept through the windows of the Oval Office, as President Bensen sat at his desk, looking over the papers of Project Blue Book. He flipped one page, and came to a new set of files... an addendum to the packet. This pamphlet was entitled "Project Serpo and the Majic 12".
He began to flip though the pages of the new document, and as he did so, his brow furrowed, as he took in the information. He was suddenly distracted, by a brilliant wash of blue light in the middle of the room, and when he looked up, the Orvani Commander was standing before him.
"Well... good morning, Commander." Bensen opened.
"Mister President." the Commander began. "Did you have a restful night?" he asked.
"No." Bensen began, now looking to face the Commander directly. "I was restless all night... thinking about those things you said to me on the lawn last night." he added.
"I merely explained to you the nature of intelligence, in the simplest and barest way possible. How could that cause you to become perplexed?" he asked.
The President now placed the papers back into the folder, and moved them aside, and folded his hands, as he addressed the Orvani, looking right at him.
"You are saying that compared to you, we humans are about as significant as mere insects, and that every species alive has a language... a legacy... an intelligence." he remarked.
"Correct." the Orvani replied.
"So... a hypothetical for you, Commander... suppose your fleet had found a planet that could support your form of life, and you wanted to settle on it. However, there are no cities, no vehicles... no form of high technology or industry. The dominant life on that world is maybe a large animal, or insect... would you colonize it?" Bensen asked.
"If it would allow us to, yes." the Commander replied. "The point is, we would arrive in peace, and ask permission, as we did with you."
"You have got to be kidding me." Bensen began. "An entire planet inhabited by let's say ants... and you would bother with trying to communicate with them, and ask permission? You could wipe them from the world, without a second thought!" he exclaimed.
"Just as we could with you." the Commander added, as the President wore a sobered look. "Mister President... just because a species cannot construct cities or ships, or starships... that does not mean that such a species has no right to assume ownership of their home planet. As visitors, we have an obligation to respect the native owners of a world, regardless of who that may be." the Orvani stated. "Come to think about it, Mister President... it's a miracle we haven't launched an all-out assault on this world, since we've been here, for even as we speak, your kind is engaged in the brutal murder of many other species on this world, for food, and purposes of vanity. If your species took the time to understand the others that live in companionship with you on this world, you would look at things differently, for then, you would hear the voices of those you so casually butcher." he added.
The President now rose from his seat, and took a more serious tone with the Orvani.
"How dare you... we humans despise killing of any sort... but for some things, we have no choice. We don't have a god-level of technology, like you do. We have no other way, than the ways we have been using. Besides... I don't see you taking any action to change things." he spat.
"Have you asked us?" the Commander shot back. "You see, Mister President... that is the point I am trying to make... nothing will simply come to your species... it will not be handed to you, without any effort on your part. YOU must take the time, and make the effort, to change things. It is that one simple truth that you seem to either always forget, or cannot understand. To grow is to learn, but without effort, one will never learn, and thus, will never grow. You can plant a seed in soil, but with no water to feed it, it will not grow... it will remain forever locked in the soil, unable to advance." he added.
The President began to realize the truth of what the Commander was telling him, and finally, nodded, looking at the Orvani before him.
"In that case, Commander... may I ask your people's help, that you might show us a better way of doing those things?" he asked.
The Commander graciously nodded.
"It shall be done, Mister President. We will teach your species the fundamentals of molecular deconstruction and reorganization, as well as reconstruction. You will never again have to kill another lifeform for food or vanity. You will never again have to mine your world for mineral and metal resources. You will never again have to worry about toxic wastes, because they shall no longer exist." he stated.
Bensen looked at the Orvani for a long moment, as the full impact of what the Orvani were now offering humanity sunk in. He had to try hard to fight back tears, as he realized the generosity of the gesture, and what it meant to humanity. Finally, he just nodded, respectfully.
"Thank you, Commander." he said softly.
"It is no problem." the Commander stated, as he now changed the subject. "Now, Mister President... I assume that you have read the latest information on that "Area 51", I think you call it?" he asked. "It has raised many questions in me, and I would like some answers."
"As would I, Commander." Bensen added.
"I think it's time that you went to that Area 51, Mister President... see for yourself, what is going on. While you do that, I will again contact Orvan, and request information to be sent to me here. The fact that we have both been contacted by people who want us to stop investigating this leads me to believe that we are o the verge of uncovering something big. But what I can't understand, is why people on Orvan itself would be trying to block my access to those records.?" he stated. "And it would seem that the crash survivor IS one of the designers... but again... if so, why? What was his purpose here?" he asked, looking back up to Bensen, who shared his confused look.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
THE WHITE HOUSE
The morning light crept through the windows of the Oval Office, as President Bensen sat at his desk, looking over the papers of Project Blue Book. He flipped one page, and came to a new set of files... an addendum to the packet. This pamphlet was entitled "Project Serpo and the Majic 12".
He began to flip though the pages of the new document, and as he did so, his brow furrowed, as he took in the information. He was suddenly distracted, by a brilliant wash of blue light in the middle of the room, and when he looked up, the Orvani Commander was standing before him.
"Well... good morning, Commander." Bensen opened.
"Mister President." the Commander began. "Did you have a restful night?" he asked.
"No." Bensen began, now looking to face the Commander directly. "I was restless all night... thinking about those things you said to me on the lawn last night." he added.
"I merely explained to you the nature of intelligence, in the simplest and barest way possible. How could that cause you to become perplexed?" he asked.
The President now placed the papers back into the folder, and moved them aside, and folded his hands, as he addressed the Orvani, looking right at him.
"You are saying that compared to you, we humans are about as significant as mere insects, and that every species alive has a language... a legacy... an intelligence." he remarked.
"Correct." the Orvani replied.
"So... a hypothetical for you, Commander... suppose your fleet had found a planet that could support your form of life, and you wanted to settle on it. However, there are no cities, no vehicles... no form of high technology or industry. The dominant life on that world is maybe a large animal, or insect... would you colonize it?" Bensen asked.
"If it would allow us to, yes." the Commander replied. "The point is, we would arrive in peace, and ask permission, as we did with you."
"You have got to be kidding me." Bensen began. "An entire planet inhabited by let's say ants... and you would bother with trying to communicate with them, and ask permission? You could wipe them from the world, without a second thought!" he exclaimed.
"Just as we could with you." the Commander added, as the President wore a sobered look. "Mister President... just because a species cannot construct cities or ships, or starships... that does not mean that such a species has no right to assume ownership of their home planet. As visitors, we have an obligation to respect the native owners of a world, regardless of who that may be." the Orvani stated. "Come to think about it, Mister President... it's a miracle we haven't launched an all-out assault on this world, since we've been here, for even as we speak, your kind is engaged in the brutal murder of many other species on this world, for food, and purposes of vanity. If your species took the time to understand the others that live in companionship with you on this world, you would look at things differently, for then, you would hear the voices of those you so casually butcher." he added.
The President now rose from his seat, and took a more serious tone with the Orvani.
"How dare you... we humans despise killing of any sort... but for some things, we have no choice. We don't have a god-level of technology, like you do. We have no other way, than the ways we have been using. Besides... I don't see you taking any action to change things." he spat.
"Have you asked us?" the Commander shot back. "You see, Mister President... that is the point I am trying to make... nothing will simply come to your species... it will not be handed to you, without any effort on your part. YOU must take the time, and make the effort, to change things. It is that one simple truth that you seem to either always forget, or cannot understand. To grow is to learn, but without effort, one will never learn, and thus, will never grow. You can plant a seed in soil, but with no water to feed it, it will not grow... it will remain forever locked in the soil, unable to advance." he added.
The President began to realize the truth of what the Commander was telling him, and finally, nodded, looking at the Orvani before him.
"In that case, Commander... may I ask your people's help, that you might show us a better way of doing those things?" he asked.
The Commander graciously nodded.
"It shall be done, Mister President. We will teach your species the fundamentals of molecular deconstruction and reorganization, as well as reconstruction. You will never again have to kill another lifeform for food or vanity. You will never again have to mine your world for mineral and metal resources. You will never again have to worry about toxic wastes, because they shall no longer exist." he stated.
Bensen looked at the Orvani for a long moment, as the full impact of what the Orvani were now offering humanity sunk in. He had to try hard to fight back tears, as he realized the generosity of the gesture, and what it meant to humanity. Finally, he just nodded, respectfully.
"Thank you, Commander." he said softly.
"It is no problem." the Commander stated, as he now changed the subject. "Now, Mister President... I assume that you have read the latest information on that "Area 51", I think you call it?" he asked. "It has raised many questions in me, and I would like some answers."
"As would I, Commander." Bensen added.
"I think it's time that you went to that Area 51, Mister President... see for yourself, what is going on. While you do that, I will again contact Orvan, and request information to be sent to me here. The fact that we have both been contacted by people who want us to stop investigating this leads me to believe that we are o the verge of uncovering something big. But what I can't understand, is why people on Orvan itself would be trying to block my access to those records.?" he stated. "And it would seem that the crash survivor IS one of the designers... but again... if so, why? What was his purpose here?" he asked, looking back up to Bensen, who shared his confused look.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Wow. I can't imagine having a gift like that dropped into my lap...I'm a cynical old curmudgeon before my time, but I think even I would be blown away.
Though sadly, I would immediately start to suspect some dangerous strings were attached.
Though sadly, I would immediately start to suspect some dangerous strings were attached.
Wow. I can't imagine having a gift like that dropped into my lap...I'm a cynical old curmudgeon before my time, but I think even I would be blown away.
Though sadly, I would immediately start to suspect some dangerous strings were attached.
First thing that crossed my mind!
-- CONTINUED --
ABC NEWS JUMBOTRON - NYC
The citizens of Earth looked to the massive monitor which displayed the current news report, as the stock ticker below continued to display the figures from wall street, as the numbers scrolled by.
"And a record day on Wall Street today, as stocks of Google soared to record-breaking heights, after Google revealed plans for a new joint-venture, with the Orvani Nation... Google announced today, that the Orvani had given the company detailed geographical scans of their home planet, Orvan. Google then announced plans to add Google Orvan to it's family of planetary maps, which so far include Google Earth, Moon, and Mars." the male anchor stated, as the people of the city continued to walk by.
ORVANI SAUCER - WASHINGTON, D.C.
In the control room of the saucer, the Commander stood at the control table, looking at the scanned documents before him. For weeks now, he had been getting information from the mysterious human informant in the trenchcoat, and for weeks, the Commander had been trying to pull data from the database on Orvan itself. Each and every time he was met with dtat blocks, and red tape... it was as if the folks back home were trying to keep something from him.
He could not understand it... why all the mystery? And why did the President have the knowledge of Area 51 kept from him? What was more... it had become clear by now, that the elderly Orvani man at Area 51 was indeed, one of the Brights... a Designer. But why would one of the Designers have been anywhere near Earth? It didn't make sense. Nothing added up.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT - WASHINGTON, D.C.
The informant in the trenchcoat walked along, on his way to deliver his latest information to the Orvani Commander. Tucked between his arm and his side, were a cluster of folders with papers inside them.
The man suddenly paused, feeling as if he was being watched. Slowly, he turned around, to see two dark figures, standing before him. Men. Human men. Both were in black suits, and wore dark black sunglasses, and had black hair.
In unison, both men proceeded to produce wallets with government badges inside them.
"Good day, Sir... Central Intelligence Agency. May we have a word with you?" they asked.
The informant's face was almost entirely concealed in darkness, by his hood, as he looked to them.
"I have't done anything." the man stated.
"Sir, we have traced the transfer of sensitive classified government documents from your person to the Orvani military." one of the CIA agents stated.
The informant did not notice, but when he had been turned towards the two CIA agents, another two men had snuck up behind him. These two men were also in all-black suits, with black glasses, but these new men were very tall and slender, and their skin was extremely pale white, as was their hair.
"Sir, if you'll please come with us..." the second CIA agent stated.
With this, the informant turned around, and tried to begin to make a run for it, but never got far...
As soon as he turned around, the tall pale man closest to him pushed a very long needle into the man's side, and injected him with a clear fluid.
Instantly, the man slumped to the side, falling to the ground, as the folders of papers fell from his grip, and also fell to the ground.
For a second, the four men in black just regarded the sight of the informant, laying dead on the ground, as suddenly, everyone in the area around the Washington Moument began to walk slower and slower, until everybody seemed frozen in space and time, unmoving. Everyone except the four men in black, that was.
The four men proceeded to collect the man's folders and documents, as the rest of the population stood still, frozen in place and mid-movement around them. Finally, they had completed their task, and they parted ways, each couple walking away from the other, leaving the dead informant where he was, on the ground.
About four seconds after the four men had left the area, the population again sprang to life, the people moving once again, carrying on about their business, as the informant still lay lifeless, in the middle of the whole scene.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
ABC NEWS JUMBOTRON - NYC
The citizens of Earth looked to the massive monitor which displayed the current news report, as the stock ticker below continued to display the figures from wall street, as the numbers scrolled by.
"And a record day on Wall Street today, as stocks of Google soared to record-breaking heights, after Google revealed plans for a new joint-venture, with the Orvani Nation... Google announced today, that the Orvani had given the company detailed geographical scans of their home planet, Orvan. Google then announced plans to add Google Orvan to it's family of planetary maps, which so far include Google Earth, Moon, and Mars." the male anchor stated, as the people of the city continued to walk by.
ORVANI SAUCER - WASHINGTON, D.C.
In the control room of the saucer, the Commander stood at the control table, looking at the scanned documents before him. For weeks now, he had been getting information from the mysterious human informant in the trenchcoat, and for weeks, the Commander had been trying to pull data from the database on Orvan itself. Each and every time he was met with dtat blocks, and red tape... it was as if the folks back home were trying to keep something from him.
He could not understand it... why all the mystery? And why did the President have the knowledge of Area 51 kept from him? What was more... it had become clear by now, that the elderly Orvani man at Area 51 was indeed, one of the Brights... a Designer. But why would one of the Designers have been anywhere near Earth? It didn't make sense. Nothing added up.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT - WASHINGTON, D.C.
The informant in the trenchcoat walked along, on his way to deliver his latest information to the Orvani Commander. Tucked between his arm and his side, were a cluster of folders with papers inside them.
The man suddenly paused, feeling as if he was being watched. Slowly, he turned around, to see two dark figures, standing before him. Men. Human men. Both were in black suits, and wore dark black sunglasses, and had black hair.
In unison, both men proceeded to produce wallets with government badges inside them.
"Good day, Sir... Central Intelligence Agency. May we have a word with you?" they asked.
The informant's face was almost entirely concealed in darkness, by his hood, as he looked to them.
"I have't done anything." the man stated.
"Sir, we have traced the transfer of sensitive classified government documents from your person to the Orvani military." one of the CIA agents stated.
The informant did not notice, but when he had been turned towards the two CIA agents, another two men had snuck up behind him. These two men were also in all-black suits, with black glasses, but these new men were very tall and slender, and their skin was extremely pale white, as was their hair.
"Sir, if you'll please come with us..." the second CIA agent stated.
With this, the informant turned around, and tried to begin to make a run for it, but never got far...
As soon as he turned around, the tall pale man closest to him pushed a very long needle into the man's side, and injected him with a clear fluid.
Instantly, the man slumped to the side, falling to the ground, as the folders of papers fell from his grip, and also fell to the ground.
For a second, the four men in black just regarded the sight of the informant, laying dead on the ground, as suddenly, everyone in the area around the Washington Moument began to walk slower and slower, until everybody seemed frozen in space and time, unmoving. Everyone except the four men in black, that was.
The four men proceeded to collect the man's folders and documents, as the rest of the population stood still, frozen in place and mid-movement around them. Finally, they had completed their task, and they parted ways, each couple walking away from the other, leaving the dead informant where he was, on the ground.
About four seconds after the four men had left the area, the population again sprang to life, the people moving once again, carrying on about their business, as the informant still lay lifeless, in the middle of the whole scene.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Ha, Google Orvan...again, your news features are just outstanding, and you can really imagine a reporter saying exactly those things on air!
Anyway, I'm very interested in seeing who these "Nords" are...that's what you called them before, right?
Anyway, I'm very interested in seeing who these "Nords" are...that's what you called them before, right?
-- CONTINUED --
GROOM LAKE - NEVADA
The desert road seemed to stretch into the distance forever, as a set of large wheels emerged into view, propelling a large black vehicle into view, as the tires kicked up the desert dust around them.
From another vantage point, the entire Presidential motorcade could be seen, streaming down the dusty road. The formation was led by twin motorcycles, which were followed by two limos, trailed by three SUV's, and another two limos and motorcycles, all of the vehicles totally black, with blacked-out windows.
From a high hillside ridge, a pair of men in camouflage and dark glasses sat inside a white Jeep, drinking coffee, as the one in the passenger seat alerted the driver to the trail of dust being kicked up by the President's motorcade.
The two snapped into action, and as the Jeep began to reverse to head down and intercept the motorcade, the passenger got on the radio.
ORVANI SAUCER - WASHINGTON, D.C.
In the ship's medical bay, one Orvani doctor pulled a sheet over the body of the dead informant, as it handed the Commander a long and thin glass vial, with a clear liquid in it.
"Poison." the doctor stated.
"Who did this to him?" the Commander asked.
"Uncertain... some people around the Monument had reported thinking they saw some men in black suits talking to him, but they were not sure." the doctor offered. "However... this should help... that poison... it's not from this world. In fact, only one species we know of uses it." he added.
The Commander sighed, as his look grew serious and grim.
"Say no more... I think I know who is responsible now..." he lamented, handing the vial back to the doctor, as he prepared to leave the medical bay.
As the Commander moved to leave, he was stopped, by a message from the ship's comm system.
"Commander... we are tracking a large Orvani craft entering orbital proximity of Earth... it will be in standard orbit in two Earth minutes." the Orvani's voice stated.
"Is it one of ours... maybe a late arrival from our group?" he asked.
"No, Sir... it's a warship." the com officer's voice added.
The Commander's look suddenly grew extremely grim, as he stared forward, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Take us up on an intercept course... and ready all weapons." the Commander ordered, as he now again moved to exit the room.
GROOM LAKE - NEVADA
The President's motorcade came to a gradual skidding halt, in the slick desert sands, as the whole group was met at a long gate, behind which stood an army of men in camouflage and dark glasses, all of whom were aiming military assault rifles at the motorcade.
The Secret Service agents from every single vehicle in the motorcade, as well as the motor cops, all drew their own weapos, and in turn, aimed them at the group at Area 51, as the President himself now emerged from the central SUV, and walked to the head of the motorcade.
"Good day." he began, addressing the group. "As President of the United States of America, and as the Commander In Chief of our military forces, I order you to stand down, and escort me to the facility where the Orvani was kept." he began.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that, Sir!" one of the "camos" shouted out, holding his rifle in perfectly still aim.
"The President has given you a direct order, soldier!" one of the Secret Service agents shouted back.
"Stand down, Mister President... we are under orders to shoot to kill anyone who attempt to enter these grounds... including you!" the camo replied.
"What? Who the hell can give an order that would override that of my office?" Bensen called back. "Now stand aside, soldier, or my men WILL open fire!" he added.
"With all due respect, Mister President... you don't know what you're dealing with here... now stand your ground, or I will shoot... don't make me do it, Mister President!" the camo shouted back.
With that, Bensen produced a folder from inside his jacket, and showed it to the camos behind the gate... it was blue, and had the Presidential Seal on it.
"You see this? I have this... I have heard about the Majic 12... I merely want to get to the bottom of this." he began. "Now, if you'll stand aside..." the President began, as he now began to lift his foot, to take the first step forward.
The instant the President stepped forward, the camo opened fire...
The very INSTANT that the gun was fired, the reddish glow of combustion filled the inside barrel of the gun, as the bullet began to emerge...
The President instinctually lifted his arms up to his face, to shield himself...
The bullet began to just emerge from the gun barrel, and as it cleared the rifle, faster than the blink of an eye, a single Orvani saucer came to a sudden streaking halt, right over the Presidet's head.
The Presidet gradually lowered his arms, curious why he had not been struck by any bullets yet.
As he began to look up in front of him, he was astounded to see a trail of a dozen bullets, heading towards him, but suspended in midair, unmoving. He then realized he was now under a large shadow, and looked up, to see the underside of an Orvani saucer...
That was why the bullets were standing still... he was now inside the saucer's chronospatial field... time was moving much slower this close to the ship.
He looked to his side, to see the two parties now exchanging a flurry of gunfire, in seemingly slow motion. He then looked up to the underside of the saucer, only to be blinded by a brilliant wash of bright blue light.
When the President was able to see again, he was no longer on the desert surface... he was now inside some sort of laboratory. As he looked around, he saw various scientists and military men, who turned to face him, puzzled looks on their faces.
"Mister President?" one General stated, standing straight, and saluting him, as the other military men copied the General.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
GROOM LAKE - NEVADA
The desert road seemed to stretch into the distance forever, as a set of large wheels emerged into view, propelling a large black vehicle into view, as the tires kicked up the desert dust around them.
From another vantage point, the entire Presidential motorcade could be seen, streaming down the dusty road. The formation was led by twin motorcycles, which were followed by two limos, trailed by three SUV's, and another two limos and motorcycles, all of the vehicles totally black, with blacked-out windows.
From a high hillside ridge, a pair of men in camouflage and dark glasses sat inside a white Jeep, drinking coffee, as the one in the passenger seat alerted the driver to the trail of dust being kicked up by the President's motorcade.
The two snapped into action, and as the Jeep began to reverse to head down and intercept the motorcade, the passenger got on the radio.
ORVANI SAUCER - WASHINGTON, D.C.
In the ship's medical bay, one Orvani doctor pulled a sheet over the body of the dead informant, as it handed the Commander a long and thin glass vial, with a clear liquid in it.
"Poison." the doctor stated.
"Who did this to him?" the Commander asked.
"Uncertain... some people around the Monument had reported thinking they saw some men in black suits talking to him, but they were not sure." the doctor offered. "However... this should help... that poison... it's not from this world. In fact, only one species we know of uses it." he added.
The Commander sighed, as his look grew serious and grim.
"Say no more... I think I know who is responsible now..." he lamented, handing the vial back to the doctor, as he prepared to leave the medical bay.
As the Commander moved to leave, he was stopped, by a message from the ship's comm system.
"Commander... we are tracking a large Orvani craft entering orbital proximity of Earth... it will be in standard orbit in two Earth minutes." the Orvani's voice stated.
"Is it one of ours... maybe a late arrival from our group?" he asked.
"No, Sir... it's a warship." the com officer's voice added.
The Commander's look suddenly grew extremely grim, as he stared forward, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Take us up on an intercept course... and ready all weapons." the Commander ordered, as he now again moved to exit the room.
GROOM LAKE - NEVADA
The President's motorcade came to a gradual skidding halt, in the slick desert sands, as the whole group was met at a long gate, behind which stood an army of men in camouflage and dark glasses, all of whom were aiming military assault rifles at the motorcade.
The Secret Service agents from every single vehicle in the motorcade, as well as the motor cops, all drew their own weapos, and in turn, aimed them at the group at Area 51, as the President himself now emerged from the central SUV, and walked to the head of the motorcade.
"Good day." he began, addressing the group. "As President of the United States of America, and as the Commander In Chief of our military forces, I order you to stand down, and escort me to the facility where the Orvani was kept." he began.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that, Sir!" one of the "camos" shouted out, holding his rifle in perfectly still aim.
"The President has given you a direct order, soldier!" one of the Secret Service agents shouted back.
"Stand down, Mister President... we are under orders to shoot to kill anyone who attempt to enter these grounds... including you!" the camo replied.
"What? Who the hell can give an order that would override that of my office?" Bensen called back. "Now stand aside, soldier, or my men WILL open fire!" he added.
"With all due respect, Mister President... you don't know what you're dealing with here... now stand your ground, or I will shoot... don't make me do it, Mister President!" the camo shouted back.
With that, Bensen produced a folder from inside his jacket, and showed it to the camos behind the gate... it was blue, and had the Presidential Seal on it.
"You see this? I have this... I have heard about the Majic 12... I merely want to get to the bottom of this." he began. "Now, if you'll stand aside..." the President began, as he now began to lift his foot, to take the first step forward.
The instant the President stepped forward, the camo opened fire...
The very INSTANT that the gun was fired, the reddish glow of combustion filled the inside barrel of the gun, as the bullet began to emerge...
The President instinctually lifted his arms up to his face, to shield himself...
The bullet began to just emerge from the gun barrel, and as it cleared the rifle, faster than the blink of an eye, a single Orvani saucer came to a sudden streaking halt, right over the Presidet's head.
The Presidet gradually lowered his arms, curious why he had not been struck by any bullets yet.
As he began to look up in front of him, he was astounded to see a trail of a dozen bullets, heading towards him, but suspended in midair, unmoving. He then realized he was now under a large shadow, and looked up, to see the underside of an Orvani saucer...
That was why the bullets were standing still... he was now inside the saucer's chronospatial field... time was moving much slower this close to the ship.
He looked to his side, to see the two parties now exchanging a flurry of gunfire, in seemingly slow motion. He then looked up to the underside of the saucer, only to be blinded by a brilliant wash of bright blue light.
When the President was able to see again, he was no longer on the desert surface... he was now inside some sort of laboratory. As he looked around, he saw various scientists and military men, who turned to face him, puzzled looks on their faces.
"Mister President?" one General stated, standing straight, and saluting him, as the other military men copied the General.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Nice save--and I love the visual-effects description! It really reminded me of The Matrix, but without feeling cheesy.
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