tones.”
“Oh, really; what does it say?”
“The leader of their government says that when the Alliance originally set the rules and limitations they had to follow, one of them was to avoid anything that would cause the Alfont tone. He says that his people were not told what to do if they heard the tone. He says that there have been numerous tones and he would humbly request direction as to what action the Alliance would have him take. Is there any action required, or should they do nothing and wait for notification from the Alliance?”
“Headman, what do you make of this?”
“The humans have always tried to comply with our directives. Remember, they were a peaceful planet that had learned the hard way the price of continuous war, and would probably still be peaceful except for the constant harassment by the Cainth Empire. I think they’re trying to make sure they don’t make a mistake with us. It also would indicate that they were not the source.”
Suddenly, the big screen on the wall came on with the ten members of safety prime council staring out at the state leader and his support staff. “Have you decided on a course of action, State Leader?” one of the council members asked.
“My staff and I were just discussing our options. As you already know, there is no feasible way to determine where the Alfont tones originated. To take no action at this point would be worse than taking wrong action. We must do something dramatic to ensure no one will ever use Alfont technology, so I am going to recommend that we destroy the Grendap, which is a nonmember race that has the misfortune to fall on the line of origin. I was going to recommend the same thing for the race called human, but they have contacted us and asked for direction. To destroy a race that exhibits behavior we want all of our nonmembers to do would send a bad message. I’m instead going to send an occupation fleet to take control of the main human planet to insure they were not the source, although their contacting us makes me believe that they were not the source. We’ll make it look like the Grendap were the source of the Alfont tones and keep a close eye on all the members of the Alliance to make sure no one suddenly develops technological superiority.”
“Who are you going to use for the occupation fleet?”
“We have forbidden the Cainth to enter human space for over three stellar cycles, however, they are the closest. I am certain they would jump at the chance to occupy the human planet. We will use thirty other members of the Alliance to support the Cainth invasion and we will notify the humans to prepare for occupation within six weeks. We will use the occupation fleet to destroy the Grendap first; then we will send them to Earth. It should take about six weeks for the fleet to arrive for occupation.”
“Why are you going to warn the humans about the occupation?”
“They’ll be easily handled and won’t resist us at all,” the state leader replied. “They are going to have to build enough living accommodations for the fleet officers and crews of the occupation force, and this gives them enough time to complete them and gather the resources to feed the fleet.”
The ten members of the safety prime council all punched some keys in front of them. Then the center member said, “The Cainth have insisted that these humans have warships that are dangerous, State Leader. Do you have any information about that?”
“Council member, everyone in this room has heard the Cainth accuse these humans of irrational and unbelievable things. They have been paranoid for a long time; however, we caught them destroying a human warship quite easily. This race has not shown any aggressive traits in the two hundred rotations we’ve been their overseers.”
The council members again punched their keys. Then the center member said, “We have produced the authorization you’ll need to carry out your plan. State leader, make sure your plan is successful.”
Chapter 23
“G o ahead, Danielle,” Tag said.
There was a momentary pause, and then Danielle said, “Oh thank God you’re alive; I have never been so scared. I’m going to beat you silly next time I see you. Where are you?”
“First things first, Danielle. I’ll talk with you in just a few minutes, but I need your help. I need you to put me in touch with someone that has the ear of the director and I need it done quickly. Everyone’s life depends on it.”
“Standby,” Danielle said. Then she turned to Lieutenant Mikado and asked, “Can you link Inspector Connor into this conversation?”
“I can link him into your end of the conversation, but we have been totally unable to determine from where his signal is coming.”
“Then please do it now.”
“Danielle, are you trying to reach me?” Inspector Connor asked.
“She is, sir, but I’m the one that needs to talk to you,” Tag said.
“Who is this?” Esa asked.
“This is Thomas Gardner and I need your help.”
Esa was shocked; how had he come into his private frequency? “I’ve been looking forward for a number of years to have the opportunity to talk with you, Thomas.”
“Sir, that will have to wait; the human race is in grave danger. You probably felt and heard the Alfont tones.”
“Yes, I have.”
“I’m the one who caused the tones. I touched an Alfont artifact and I’m certain the Alliance is tracking the point of origin as we speak.”
“Oh my God!”
“Exactly. However, I believe there is a possibility that they may have lost the exact point where those tones originated. I don’t have time to explain, but I need you to get the Director to contact the Alliance directly and ask for direction on how hearing the tones should be handled. Humanity needs to pretend that we have no idea where those tones came from either. Can you make that happen?”
“Son, how could you know these things?”
“I’m sure you’ve learned a lot about me over the years, Inspector. Have you ever known me to be directly dishonest? You know I’d do everything in my power to make sure that Danielle is never harmed. You have to help me.”
Danielle was listening in on the conversation and felt tears come to her eyes. The other members of Kosiev’s bridge crew listened in to the conversation, fascinated at what was being said.
“I’ll get back to you,” Inspector Connor said and broke the link.
“Danielle, are you still there?”
“Still here, my love.”
“I’m so sorry for all I’ve put you through. It just seems that destiny decided that my life was going to be chaotic. It’s a shame that here at the end I won’t have much time with you before my execution.”
“What execution?”
“Isn’t that why they’re trying to find me?”
“No Tag. They’ve been chasing you so that they could recruit you into the Director’s Special Forces.”
With that statement, everyone on the bridge started looking at each other. Even Mikado quit trying to track Tag’s signal and looked at the woman talking. Kosiev thought, “This person must be someone far more special than he and his crew had given credit.” Only eight people were allowed to serve as a member of the Special Forces at any time.
“What are the special forces?” Tag asked.
“Its members are selected to shape the policies and decisions that are used to guide the human race. They are actually in a position higher than the Director of the Directorate. The government follows their lead. You might say they direct the Director. You have been selected by them to join them as a member.”
“How could they know anything about me?”
