The starchild compact, p.33
The Starchild Compact, page 33
Allah, majestic Ruler, keep me on Your path. Show me a sign; open my eyes so that I may clearly see the weapons You have prepared for my successful Jihad.
The door opened as Saeed finished his prayer, and he turned to see Ari striding into the room.
#
"Come with me," Ari said to the little terrorist, while scrutinizing him to make sure he had not sequestered a weapon in his clothing. "The Captain wants to introduce you to the Founder leader."
Ari was not yet fully in the picture, but he was curious to see how Saeed would react to beings that Saeed would believe were a hundred-fifty-thousand years old. He waved to Arpachshad as he passed, noting that the Founder and his wife, Rasu'eja, were deep in conversation with Elke. He observed Saeed eying their weapons, and made a mental note to apprise Arpachshad of the situation. Don't want the little terrorist to get his hands on a high-tech ray gun from the future.
At the floater, the door opened, and Jon and Eber descended to the grass. As the other Founders gathered about, Jon said to Eber, "This is Saeed Esmail, the other crew member I told you about."
To Ari's surprise, Saeed bowed with a mid-eastern flourish. "I am honored to meet you, Sahib. Although I do not comprehend it, I am told you are a distant ancestor of mine."
"That is true, Saeed Esmail. I am the son of Seth who was the son of Noah…"
"This cannot be," Saeed interrupted, his face flushed and distorted. "Allah (may He be praised) would not allow this."
The Translator rendered Allah as Yahweh, which Ari recognized as a Founder-Speak phoneticization of the Hebrew letters for God: יהוה (yod-hey-vev-hey).
Saeed apparently recognized the word as well, and expressed his outrage. "There is no God but Allah (may He be blessed)! Your infernal machine blasphemes the one true faith. You are nothing but a satanic vision sent to disrupt the progress of Allah's warriors on Earth." As he spoke, his voice rose to a shrill level, and it appeared to Ari that Saeed was about to leap at the Founders. Arpachshad's hand went to his holster while Rasu'eja's hand slipped around the haft of her short sword. Before they could act, however, Ari wrapped a large hand around the back of Saeed's neck and squeezed hard, momentarily blocking both carotid arteries. Saeed's body went limp. Ari half dragged, half walked Saeed across the grass back to the room.
#
"I apologize for that," Jon said, speaking to all the Founders. "As you can see, we have a problem. And this problem is amplified by about two billion times back on Earth." He started walking toward his office. "I must report your arrival to my superiors while you, Eber, brief your family on our conversation. Feel free to join me when you're done."
This message had to be encrypted using their private code system. Jon simply could take no chances that there would be an uncontrolled release of this explosive information. He set up his machine, entered the parameters, and saved the resulting encrypted message into the transmit stream. Rod would receive it about ninety minutes after the next pass of the Cassini II.
As Jon completed uploading the encrypted message, Eber entered the room and pulled a chair up to the desk. "All the comforts of home," he said with a grin. "Did we get it right?"
"At first we were completely overcome by your technical superiority." Jon winced. "Our spaceship, Cassini II, is the peak of our technology. It took us four months to get here using our newest VASIMR propulsion technology – that's short for Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket. We know you guys are pushing light speed. That makes our very best puny by comparison. The way I saw it was that by poking around here, learning everything we can, we could leapfrog from where we are now to where you are.
"Then, with every passing day inside this amazing world, I began to suspect that you guys were still around, and that you were coming back." Jon smiled broadly at Eber. "Everything was just too neat, too accommodating.
"I guess I should thank you."
Eber nodded. "It was pretty obvious to us that the Arc – Iapetus, you call it – would have a significant impact on you, as individuals and as a culture. We missed your multicultural diversity, not because it didn't exist during our periodic sojourns in your time stream, but because we assumed you would develop as we had, into a single planet-wide culture."
"I don't know how my government will handle my dispatch," Jon said seriously, "but it's clear to me that ultimately there is no hiding what and who you are. This will cause problems. There is no way to seal off Iapetus. Others will come; sooner or later, others will come. And not all of them will have good will."
"We can make Iapetus virtually inaccessible, shut down the access tubes, close off the openings, put the entire complex into hibernation."
"There's ten of you and ten billion of us. Someone would find a way to penetrate your safeguards. It would be taken as a global challenge. It could even lead to the destruction of Iapetus, at least in its function as a starship." Jon paused, carefully considering what he had to say next.
"I have assumed that your group, your family, will not be content to settle down with us on Earth and cease your wanderings. Your logs make that abundantly clear. I also understand that your vessel…"
"The Merkavah," Eber interjected.
"The Merkavah," Jon continued, "is not really designed for long-duration journeys. It seems to me that there is room here for some negotiations." Eber didn't say anything, but Jon could tell that he was interested. "We can help you build a new vessel, one that will accommodate all of you comfortably, with room for additional passengers, should you choose."
Time for the clincher, Jon thought as he prepared his next words. "This is going to sound parochial, but my country is different from every other country on Earth. I think you need to understand how we are different before you make any plans for the future."
"I'm willing to listen further," Eber said cautiously. "Our presence already triggered one destructive, planet-wide war. I certainly don't want that again." He grinned. "You're right about our accommodations. We need more room."
"I'm going to give you several of these Links," Jon said, pointing to his wrist. "They're local here, although they do tie into your electronic library."
"What we've let you see, anyway," Eber said with a quiet smile.
"Right…and anywhere in the Earth-Moon vicinity they will tie into the global system, giving you access to everything in the system. I will set them up for special access to the documents that underlie our country, and to a short version of our history so you can see how we differ from everyone else on Earth."
#
Rod was actually awake when Jon's latest dispatch arrived, delivered to his room by Alex. His offline system, which was similar to Jon's, quickly decoded the message. Rod sat at his desk absorbing the fascinating material.
"Basically, they're just like us," Jon wrote. "The men look more like Ari, which is not surprising. The women are utterly remarkable, and cover the waterfront from short and dark to a statuesque Greek goddess. There are ten Founders in all – two physicians, several biologists, physicists, engineers, and even two warriors! Unequivocally, the men are the grandsons of Noah – right that Noah! Their ship is a bit like a backyard hotrod. They built it on the run, making all sorts of compromises and substitutions. But it can approach light speed with a Lorentz Factor approaching seventy-one-thousand. That means they can cover a thousand light years in less than six days! But they also move forward that number of years."
Rod sat back and considered what Jon had just told him. These people were technically advanced, but not all that much. In fact, it appeared that some of Earth's present technologies were more advanced than theirs. The big deal, however, was their immediate ancestry. How do you deal with that? Rod asked himself. The secular Israelis probably will handle it fine. But what about our own Evangelical Christian heartland? They can't have it both ways – how will they deal with it? And the Raëlians? Where the hell do they fit into the equation? The Asians? No problem there since they don't have any emotional investment – except for the Korean Christians. Rod shook his head. Then there's the Caliphate…they could go two ways. Hypothetically, they could embrace the Founders, but that's not going to happen. Rod grinned ruefully and tapped his link.
In a few moments the image of the President's Science Advisor appeared in the air before him. An hour later Rod was on his way again to Washington, D.C. in a NASA Rockwell.
#
Each of the Cassini II mission participant nations received a short voice communication from the White House along with the complete text of the announcement the White House intended to make fifteen minutes later. The White House announcement was short and straightforward, notable, not so much for what it contained, but for what it left out.
"Captain Jon Stock and the crew members of the Cassini II mission to Iapetus have just met with the last surviving ten members of the Ectaris people who arrived in our Solar System a hundred-fifty-thousand years ago. Because of the time contraction effects of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, the ten Founders have aged only slightly from their ages when they first arrived here so long ago. Although their technology is well beyond ours, they come in peace and pose no threat to us.
"The five male Founders claim that their father was Noah's son Shem, so that they are the direct biological grandsons of Noah. Neither Captain Stock nor the President's technical experts here on Earth have been able to confirm this claim, but we have no reason to disbelieve them either. This matter will be resolved in due course. We do not yet know when the Founders will come to Earth for a formal visit, but the American government will work with other national governments to ensure that no individual nation has exclusive contact with the Founders or exclusive access to their technology.
"This may be the single most momentous event in human history. America implores the peoples of Earth to put their best foot forward. We have only one chance to make a first impression on the Founders. They will soon enough learn of our shortcomings, our internal differences, our foibles.
"We will follow-up this announcement with more information just as soon as we receive it."
Worldwide reaction was almost immediate. Holovision pundits with their science talking heads sagely explained the time contraction effects from traveling at significant fractions of light speed.
"Could they really be Noah's grandsons?" the pretty Fox Syndicate anchor asked her aging Science Fiction guru.
"Hypothetically speaking," he answered, sagely nodding his head, "I suppose they could be…"
"What are the implications?" she asked, her awe-filled pretty face shining with excitement.
A half-a-world away the Russian Federation president turned to his Science Minister. "Arrogant bastards, those Americans." He grabbed a pen and notepad, gritting his teeth. After scribbling a moment, he handed the note to his Minister. "Inform the press that our American comrades have our full support."
The Chinese Chairman requested from his staff an annotated copy of the Western Bible. He wanted to be sure he knew who Noah was before meeting any world leaders, and especially the Founders.
The Australian Prime Minister was actually visiting the White House when the announcement was made. He and the President spoke privately about it.
The Israelis remained publically silent, not wanting to inflame the Caliph, but an entire team of across-the-board experts boarded an El Al aircraft bound for Washington, D.C.
The Indian Prime Minister simply noted the event with pleasure, indicating that India looked forward to comparing historical notes with the Founders.
The German Bundes Chancellor announced a new specialty beer called Founders Braü, created especially for this momentous day.
The French and Canadians made immediate public announcements of support, while privately, the Canadians reinforced their support, and while the French stated their reservations, couched in terms of Gaelic sovereignty.
The British Prime Minister forwarded a note to the President reassuring him of Great Britain's historic close friendship with America, and made himself and his government available for any eventuality.
Many other nation heads made appropriate public remarks ranging from wildly enthusiastic to reserved support, and across the board there seemed to be a general wait-and-see attitude regarding the Hebrew connection.
Raëlians around the word danced in the streets, proclaiming vindication for their beliefs. Privately some of their Elders had reservations about the Noah connection, but good leaders, they speculated, led the crowd where it was already headed.
There was one outspoken, vociferous objection, however. The Ayatollah Khomeini appeared throughout the Caliphate on the only holovision channel to which Caliphate subjects had access. Following a fifteen-minute anti-Israeli, anti-American rant, the bearded dictator challenged the Founders' veracity, calling them ignominious swine and lackeys of the American infidels, and threatening them with immediate nuclear destruction should they set foot on this planet. As insurance, he promised to turn Israel into a nuclear wasteland and to destroy as much of America as possible.
Within minutes of his broadcast, a million faithful filled the streets of Teheran, promising Holy Jihad against all infidels. They beheaded effigies of the Israeli Prime Minister and the American President, and they tore ten effigies of the Founders limb-from-limb, promising eternal hell-fire for any infidel claiming a direct line to Noah.
#
Rod Zakes watched the unfolding developments, first with amusement, and then with a growing horror. He had no idea what kind of weapons the Founders possessed, and he knew even less of their mindset. One thing he felt certain of, however, was that a culture that had crossed 500 light years intact would be more than a match for anything modern humanity could deploy as a threat – especially the Caliphate. As he pondered this, a dawning realization overtook his thoughts. The Caliphate did not have to threaten the Founders. All it needed was to nudge Israel closer to the brink.
"My God!" he breathed as the dawning realization took hold. I've got to bring Jon up to speed on this. He has to brief the Founders; they have to understand the volatility of the situation…
He shuddered as the unwanted image of an Israel consumed by nuclear flames from a surprise attack burst into his mind. We simply cannot let that happen!
Chapter 30
Jon read the encrypted message from Rod for the third time. Rod believed that a nuclear attack on Israel by the Caliphate was imminent. While Rod was no diplomat, he wasn't an idiot either. He was right in the middle of the mess back home, and probably knew better than almost anyone what might be forthcoming. Jon leaned back and considered his options. He presumed that the Founders could defend themselves, but he had no idea how. From his own military background, he was equally certain that they had a way of projecting force against an attacker. Would they intervene against third parties? Would they see Israel as special? Would they comprehend the unique role the United States played in the modern world?
Jon used his Link to locate Ari, and asked him to escort Eber to his office.
#
Eber had been with Ari, gaining a clearer understanding of the role the Israelis played in the modern world. What he learned was disturbing. He was appalled by the intertwining of the different religions. As on his own world, there were various levels of belief. For the last couple thousand years of their existence, however, the Ectarians had not exhibited the radical, violent behavior that was so rampant in the Caliphate.
Eber and Ari stepped into Jon's office and settled in the proffered chairs. Before Jon could say anything, Ari explained, "We have been discussing the nature of Earth's geopolitical divisions, concentrating on the Caliphate and Israel." Eber's Link translated for him.
"I am deeply disturbed by what I have learned," Eber told Jon through the Link translator. "How can this be in such a technologically advanced world?" Eber paused, mulling over his thoughts. "Do you really believe our presence could cause violence?"
"It already has." Jon called up Rod's communication on his Link and set the holodisplay so Eber could read it.
"Sorry, Jon, I can't read your language yet." Eber smiled inwardly at Jon's embarrassment. As the display switched to Founder-Speak, Eber smiled. "Soon enough, I'll be able to read English."
Eber quickly read the communication on the display, and was shocked by what he read. "Is this possible?"
Jon nodded gravely. "Can you share with me what kinds of weapons you carry?"
Eber had been expecting this question. "We have a Laser Disruptor that can destroy virtually any incoming object, but it is ineffective against laser beam weapons."
"We're working on those, but I am unaware of anyone who has a working model."
Ari spoke up, "The Israelis have been working furiously on such a weapon, precisely because of its defensive character. I don't know if it's operational."
"I'll check on that," Jon said.
Eber continued, "We also have an anti-matter particle beam that can deliver a packet of anti-matter to any point within about three thousand kilometers." He expressed the distance as five thousand kilocubits, but the translator recalculated that into standard kilometers.
"What's the range of the Laser Disruptor?" Jon wanted to know.
"Shorter than the particle beam – about fifteen hundred kilometers. Finally, we have a focused neutrino beam that can take out biological systems, nuclear reactors, and nuclear bombs with an effective range of about sixty-one thousand kilometers with a ranging error of about a meter."
"Are you willing to use your weapons to defend yourselves?"
The question seemed odd to Eber. How could one imagine not defending their small clan? "Of course – without hesitation."
"How about defending the Israelis, should they come under attack?"
"I'll need to consult with the rest of my clan before answering that." Eber was careful to maintain a neutral tone, but inside he was roiling. For himself, there was no question. If the Caliphate were to attack or even appear to be ready to attack Israel, he would have no compunction about doing whatever appeared to be necessary.
The door opened as Saeed finished his prayer, and he turned to see Ari striding into the room.
#
"Come with me," Ari said to the little terrorist, while scrutinizing him to make sure he had not sequestered a weapon in his clothing. "The Captain wants to introduce you to the Founder leader."
Ari was not yet fully in the picture, but he was curious to see how Saeed would react to beings that Saeed would believe were a hundred-fifty-thousand years old. He waved to Arpachshad as he passed, noting that the Founder and his wife, Rasu'eja, were deep in conversation with Elke. He observed Saeed eying their weapons, and made a mental note to apprise Arpachshad of the situation. Don't want the little terrorist to get his hands on a high-tech ray gun from the future.
At the floater, the door opened, and Jon and Eber descended to the grass. As the other Founders gathered about, Jon said to Eber, "This is Saeed Esmail, the other crew member I told you about."
To Ari's surprise, Saeed bowed with a mid-eastern flourish. "I am honored to meet you, Sahib. Although I do not comprehend it, I am told you are a distant ancestor of mine."
"That is true, Saeed Esmail. I am the son of Seth who was the son of Noah…"
"This cannot be," Saeed interrupted, his face flushed and distorted. "Allah (may He be praised) would not allow this."
The Translator rendered Allah as Yahweh, which Ari recognized as a Founder-Speak phoneticization of the Hebrew letters for God: יהוה (yod-hey-vev-hey).
Saeed apparently recognized the word as well, and expressed his outrage. "There is no God but Allah (may He be blessed)! Your infernal machine blasphemes the one true faith. You are nothing but a satanic vision sent to disrupt the progress of Allah's warriors on Earth." As he spoke, his voice rose to a shrill level, and it appeared to Ari that Saeed was about to leap at the Founders. Arpachshad's hand went to his holster while Rasu'eja's hand slipped around the haft of her short sword. Before they could act, however, Ari wrapped a large hand around the back of Saeed's neck and squeezed hard, momentarily blocking both carotid arteries. Saeed's body went limp. Ari half dragged, half walked Saeed across the grass back to the room.
#
"I apologize for that," Jon said, speaking to all the Founders. "As you can see, we have a problem. And this problem is amplified by about two billion times back on Earth." He started walking toward his office. "I must report your arrival to my superiors while you, Eber, brief your family on our conversation. Feel free to join me when you're done."
This message had to be encrypted using their private code system. Jon simply could take no chances that there would be an uncontrolled release of this explosive information. He set up his machine, entered the parameters, and saved the resulting encrypted message into the transmit stream. Rod would receive it about ninety minutes after the next pass of the Cassini II.
As Jon completed uploading the encrypted message, Eber entered the room and pulled a chair up to the desk. "All the comforts of home," he said with a grin. "Did we get it right?"
"At first we were completely overcome by your technical superiority." Jon winced. "Our spaceship, Cassini II, is the peak of our technology. It took us four months to get here using our newest VASIMR propulsion technology – that's short for Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket. We know you guys are pushing light speed. That makes our very best puny by comparison. The way I saw it was that by poking around here, learning everything we can, we could leapfrog from where we are now to where you are.
"Then, with every passing day inside this amazing world, I began to suspect that you guys were still around, and that you were coming back." Jon smiled broadly at Eber. "Everything was just too neat, too accommodating.
"I guess I should thank you."
Eber nodded. "It was pretty obvious to us that the Arc – Iapetus, you call it – would have a significant impact on you, as individuals and as a culture. We missed your multicultural diversity, not because it didn't exist during our periodic sojourns in your time stream, but because we assumed you would develop as we had, into a single planet-wide culture."
"I don't know how my government will handle my dispatch," Jon said seriously, "but it's clear to me that ultimately there is no hiding what and who you are. This will cause problems. There is no way to seal off Iapetus. Others will come; sooner or later, others will come. And not all of them will have good will."
"We can make Iapetus virtually inaccessible, shut down the access tubes, close off the openings, put the entire complex into hibernation."
"There's ten of you and ten billion of us. Someone would find a way to penetrate your safeguards. It would be taken as a global challenge. It could even lead to the destruction of Iapetus, at least in its function as a starship." Jon paused, carefully considering what he had to say next.
"I have assumed that your group, your family, will not be content to settle down with us on Earth and cease your wanderings. Your logs make that abundantly clear. I also understand that your vessel…"
"The Merkavah," Eber interjected.
"The Merkavah," Jon continued, "is not really designed for long-duration journeys. It seems to me that there is room here for some negotiations." Eber didn't say anything, but Jon could tell that he was interested. "We can help you build a new vessel, one that will accommodate all of you comfortably, with room for additional passengers, should you choose."
Time for the clincher, Jon thought as he prepared his next words. "This is going to sound parochial, but my country is different from every other country on Earth. I think you need to understand how we are different before you make any plans for the future."
"I'm willing to listen further," Eber said cautiously. "Our presence already triggered one destructive, planet-wide war. I certainly don't want that again." He grinned. "You're right about our accommodations. We need more room."
"I'm going to give you several of these Links," Jon said, pointing to his wrist. "They're local here, although they do tie into your electronic library."
"What we've let you see, anyway," Eber said with a quiet smile.
"Right…and anywhere in the Earth-Moon vicinity they will tie into the global system, giving you access to everything in the system. I will set them up for special access to the documents that underlie our country, and to a short version of our history so you can see how we differ from everyone else on Earth."
#
Rod was actually awake when Jon's latest dispatch arrived, delivered to his room by Alex. His offline system, which was similar to Jon's, quickly decoded the message. Rod sat at his desk absorbing the fascinating material.
"Basically, they're just like us," Jon wrote. "The men look more like Ari, which is not surprising. The women are utterly remarkable, and cover the waterfront from short and dark to a statuesque Greek goddess. There are ten Founders in all – two physicians, several biologists, physicists, engineers, and even two warriors! Unequivocally, the men are the grandsons of Noah – right that Noah! Their ship is a bit like a backyard hotrod. They built it on the run, making all sorts of compromises and substitutions. But it can approach light speed with a Lorentz Factor approaching seventy-one-thousand. That means they can cover a thousand light years in less than six days! But they also move forward that number of years."
Rod sat back and considered what Jon had just told him. These people were technically advanced, but not all that much. In fact, it appeared that some of Earth's present technologies were more advanced than theirs. The big deal, however, was their immediate ancestry. How do you deal with that? Rod asked himself. The secular Israelis probably will handle it fine. But what about our own Evangelical Christian heartland? They can't have it both ways – how will they deal with it? And the Raëlians? Where the hell do they fit into the equation? The Asians? No problem there since they don't have any emotional investment – except for the Korean Christians. Rod shook his head. Then there's the Caliphate…they could go two ways. Hypothetically, they could embrace the Founders, but that's not going to happen. Rod grinned ruefully and tapped his link.
In a few moments the image of the President's Science Advisor appeared in the air before him. An hour later Rod was on his way again to Washington, D.C. in a NASA Rockwell.
#
Each of the Cassini II mission participant nations received a short voice communication from the White House along with the complete text of the announcement the White House intended to make fifteen minutes later. The White House announcement was short and straightforward, notable, not so much for what it contained, but for what it left out.
"Captain Jon Stock and the crew members of the Cassini II mission to Iapetus have just met with the last surviving ten members of the Ectaris people who arrived in our Solar System a hundred-fifty-thousand years ago. Because of the time contraction effects of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, the ten Founders have aged only slightly from their ages when they first arrived here so long ago. Although their technology is well beyond ours, they come in peace and pose no threat to us.
"The five male Founders claim that their father was Noah's son Shem, so that they are the direct biological grandsons of Noah. Neither Captain Stock nor the President's technical experts here on Earth have been able to confirm this claim, but we have no reason to disbelieve them either. This matter will be resolved in due course. We do not yet know when the Founders will come to Earth for a formal visit, but the American government will work with other national governments to ensure that no individual nation has exclusive contact with the Founders or exclusive access to their technology.
"This may be the single most momentous event in human history. America implores the peoples of Earth to put their best foot forward. We have only one chance to make a first impression on the Founders. They will soon enough learn of our shortcomings, our internal differences, our foibles.
"We will follow-up this announcement with more information just as soon as we receive it."
Worldwide reaction was almost immediate. Holovision pundits with their science talking heads sagely explained the time contraction effects from traveling at significant fractions of light speed.
"Could they really be Noah's grandsons?" the pretty Fox Syndicate anchor asked her aging Science Fiction guru.
"Hypothetically speaking," he answered, sagely nodding his head, "I suppose they could be…"
"What are the implications?" she asked, her awe-filled pretty face shining with excitement.
A half-a-world away the Russian Federation president turned to his Science Minister. "Arrogant bastards, those Americans." He grabbed a pen and notepad, gritting his teeth. After scribbling a moment, he handed the note to his Minister. "Inform the press that our American comrades have our full support."
The Chinese Chairman requested from his staff an annotated copy of the Western Bible. He wanted to be sure he knew who Noah was before meeting any world leaders, and especially the Founders.
The Australian Prime Minister was actually visiting the White House when the announcement was made. He and the President spoke privately about it.
The Israelis remained publically silent, not wanting to inflame the Caliph, but an entire team of across-the-board experts boarded an El Al aircraft bound for Washington, D.C.
The Indian Prime Minister simply noted the event with pleasure, indicating that India looked forward to comparing historical notes with the Founders.
The German Bundes Chancellor announced a new specialty beer called Founders Braü, created especially for this momentous day.
The French and Canadians made immediate public announcements of support, while privately, the Canadians reinforced their support, and while the French stated their reservations, couched in terms of Gaelic sovereignty.
The British Prime Minister forwarded a note to the President reassuring him of Great Britain's historic close friendship with America, and made himself and his government available for any eventuality.
Many other nation heads made appropriate public remarks ranging from wildly enthusiastic to reserved support, and across the board there seemed to be a general wait-and-see attitude regarding the Hebrew connection.
Raëlians around the word danced in the streets, proclaiming vindication for their beliefs. Privately some of their Elders had reservations about the Noah connection, but good leaders, they speculated, led the crowd where it was already headed.
There was one outspoken, vociferous objection, however. The Ayatollah Khomeini appeared throughout the Caliphate on the only holovision channel to which Caliphate subjects had access. Following a fifteen-minute anti-Israeli, anti-American rant, the bearded dictator challenged the Founders' veracity, calling them ignominious swine and lackeys of the American infidels, and threatening them with immediate nuclear destruction should they set foot on this planet. As insurance, he promised to turn Israel into a nuclear wasteland and to destroy as much of America as possible.
Within minutes of his broadcast, a million faithful filled the streets of Teheran, promising Holy Jihad against all infidels. They beheaded effigies of the Israeli Prime Minister and the American President, and they tore ten effigies of the Founders limb-from-limb, promising eternal hell-fire for any infidel claiming a direct line to Noah.
#
Rod Zakes watched the unfolding developments, first with amusement, and then with a growing horror. He had no idea what kind of weapons the Founders possessed, and he knew even less of their mindset. One thing he felt certain of, however, was that a culture that had crossed 500 light years intact would be more than a match for anything modern humanity could deploy as a threat – especially the Caliphate. As he pondered this, a dawning realization overtook his thoughts. The Caliphate did not have to threaten the Founders. All it needed was to nudge Israel closer to the brink.
"My God!" he breathed as the dawning realization took hold. I've got to bring Jon up to speed on this. He has to brief the Founders; they have to understand the volatility of the situation…
He shuddered as the unwanted image of an Israel consumed by nuclear flames from a surprise attack burst into his mind. We simply cannot let that happen!
Chapter 30
Jon read the encrypted message from Rod for the third time. Rod believed that a nuclear attack on Israel by the Caliphate was imminent. While Rod was no diplomat, he wasn't an idiot either. He was right in the middle of the mess back home, and probably knew better than almost anyone what might be forthcoming. Jon leaned back and considered his options. He presumed that the Founders could defend themselves, but he had no idea how. From his own military background, he was equally certain that they had a way of projecting force against an attacker. Would they intervene against third parties? Would they see Israel as special? Would they comprehend the unique role the United States played in the modern world?
Jon used his Link to locate Ari, and asked him to escort Eber to his office.
#
Eber had been with Ari, gaining a clearer understanding of the role the Israelis played in the modern world. What he learned was disturbing. He was appalled by the intertwining of the different religions. As on his own world, there were various levels of belief. For the last couple thousand years of their existence, however, the Ectarians had not exhibited the radical, violent behavior that was so rampant in the Caliphate.
Eber and Ari stepped into Jon's office and settled in the proffered chairs. Before Jon could say anything, Ari explained, "We have been discussing the nature of Earth's geopolitical divisions, concentrating on the Caliphate and Israel." Eber's Link translated for him.
"I am deeply disturbed by what I have learned," Eber told Jon through the Link translator. "How can this be in such a technologically advanced world?" Eber paused, mulling over his thoughts. "Do you really believe our presence could cause violence?"
"It already has." Jon called up Rod's communication on his Link and set the holodisplay so Eber could read it.
"Sorry, Jon, I can't read your language yet." Eber smiled inwardly at Jon's embarrassment. As the display switched to Founder-Speak, Eber smiled. "Soon enough, I'll be able to read English."
Eber quickly read the communication on the display, and was shocked by what he read. "Is this possible?"
Jon nodded gravely. "Can you share with me what kinds of weapons you carry?"
Eber had been expecting this question. "We have a Laser Disruptor that can destroy virtually any incoming object, but it is ineffective against laser beam weapons."
"We're working on those, but I am unaware of anyone who has a working model."
Ari spoke up, "The Israelis have been working furiously on such a weapon, precisely because of its defensive character. I don't know if it's operational."
"I'll check on that," Jon said.
Eber continued, "We also have an anti-matter particle beam that can deliver a packet of anti-matter to any point within about three thousand kilometers." He expressed the distance as five thousand kilocubits, but the translator recalculated that into standard kilometers.
"What's the range of the Laser Disruptor?" Jon wanted to know.
"Shorter than the particle beam – about fifteen hundred kilometers. Finally, we have a focused neutrino beam that can take out biological systems, nuclear reactors, and nuclear bombs with an effective range of about sixty-one thousand kilometers with a ranging error of about a meter."
"Are you willing to use your weapons to defend yourselves?"
The question seemed odd to Eber. How could one imagine not defending their small clan? "Of course – without hesitation."
"How about defending the Israelis, should they come under attack?"
"I'll need to consult with the rest of my clan before answering that." Eber was careful to maintain a neutral tone, but inside he was roiling. For himself, there was no question. If the Caliphate were to attack or even appear to be ready to attack Israel, he would have no compunction about doing whatever appeared to be necessary.
