Wicked Messenger by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Chapter 25
The Sunny Eli investigators were astonished to find out that the deranged killer with a ‘silver bullet” was not a Darkie Eli; but an Earthling female, a close call on the female part.
She had spent her adult life drifting, methadrining, steroiding and drinking on the borderline of trouble. Apparently she had enough of a brain remaining to pull back just when things got serious. She had gotten her largest charges out of harassing old men in small rural towns, without the ***** to seek out her supposed abusers or the risk of a big city’s gangstas. Phoenix was the most populated place she had dared to show herself, and that was only after she had the benefit of a weapon she mistakenly thought incomparable and managed to last less than an hour. Remorseful over the dead Elis, but dismissing Rancid as an antique bully Eli laughed out of existence a century prior, they were most concerned with where she might have gotten the “silver bullet.” They were astounded when they discovered that the weapon was registered to Ares Jarrod. Could this pathetic, inexperienced loser have taken out one of Eli’s most competent members of the military? And taken his gun? It seemed incredulous, but the information regarding the incident and Ares’ weapon was communicated upstream until it reached the President and the Ministers. They informed no Earth authority as they had sadly learned that the killing of an Eli was not a
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crime or barely one on the planet of war. Of course the elimination of PEST was never disclosed as that risked bringing down the law on the Eli military man. The deed remained unknown to Earth authorities as no “loved ones” reported PEST as missing.
Cronos celebrated the news, though it didn’t make full sense to him and piqued his curiosity. Previously he was certain that Joshua had killed Ares, and he thought that was still likely the case as he had possession of Ares’ rocket. But, how did Ares’ “silver bullet” wind up in the hands of an Earthly misfit? Why doesn’t Joshua have it? Details, details, details.
No answers, just more details. He decided that it really didn’t matter anymore, as the weapon was back in the hands of Eli authorities and it was as strong an inference as one can ever get that the US government never had it and therefore didn’t have the technology. He still thought that Joshua was involved in something untrustworthy, but whatever it was made no sense to him. The most important consideration was that now, with Elis being killed, this time without doubt by an Earthling and Earth’s very, very likely defenselessness, it was time to wipe them out. This time he knew he would have support in Committee and looked forward to the scheduled meeting.
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The news quickly spread through the Eli community. When it reached Joshua in Manhattan, he immediately thought of Becky and Grandpa, thinking it possible that they might have been obliterated, enabling Rancid to get the “silver bullet.” His mind flashed through scenes of annihilation that he didn’t want to see. His mood flip-flopped between sadness and anger, as he blamed himself and the Elis as the ones who brought death to a wonderful planet; an unverifiable, impersonal, easily administered and obscene death that the world had never previously known. It was wrong, but it was, and there was no turning back. What could he do? He took out his weapon and pointed it at himself, while he used his cell phone to dial the Hawley number.
Ring, ring, ring, ring. He thought; “Oh, please be there.”
Ring, ring. “Hello.”
It was Becky’s voice, and he exclaimed; “Becky!”
“Yeah. Joshua?”
He pocketed the “silver bullet,” and said; “Yeah. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Well, call more often and you’ll hear it more.”
“I don’t want to cause you trouble, but I miss you.”
“I miss you too. How is your plan going?”
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Joshua lied and said; “Excellent, just a few more details to work on. Things will be all right if you guys can put up with Elis. How’s Grandpa?”
“He’s seen better days. He had a stroke.”
“Oh, no.”
“Yeah, he’s doing okay though. He just can’t get around like he used to. I gave him the ‘silver bullet’ the day I got it and now he made me responsible for it. Can you imagine? Ten years old with something like that.”
“Nobody should have that responsibility at any age. But, somebody has to and I can’t think of a better candidate.”
“I changed his hiding place. Do you know that he used to keep it in a kitchen drawer? He had some crazy idea about hiding it in plain sight.”
“Actually I do know that.”
“Well, anyway I got it out of there and buried it in the desert.”
Joshua inferred what had happened. He didn’t want to upset Becky or Grandpa by saying what he knew, so he said; “I like it.
Who could ever find it out there?”
“Only me, and I don’t want to.”
“You’re a great girl and a big one. Hey, do you think I could talk to Grandpa a bit?”
“Sure, let me have him pick up in his room.”
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A few seconds elapsed, then Joshua heard; “Joshua.”
“Hey, old man. I hear you’ve been getting everyone nervous.”
“Ah, you know I tell them not to worry, but some people are just that way.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s because they care.”
Grandpa was silent, feeling happy that was the case.
Joshua said; “You take it easy and let them baby you. They like it.”
“Are you sure you’re an Eli?”
“I’m only sure of one thing. There will be no war.” In a silly voice he added; “It’s Joshua Foucalt on the job, you know.”
“Things are okay at your end?”
“Definitely. Your act with the UFO was superlative. Makes it easy.”
“Good, good. Are you going to be around here any time soon?”
“I think so. You take good care of yourself and give Becky a big kiss for me.”
“You got it.”
“Bye.”
The primary concern now a thing of the past, Joshua thought of the ramifications the Rancid event would have on Eli plans.
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He strongly suspected that the war logic would be drawn from it.
He held out a faint hope that the “We Need More Information”
contingent would seize on the miniscule possibility that the US
did have and did duplicate the “silver bullet,” and that Rancid had stolen the prototype from them. He knew it was a long shot, as in practice, it was extremely unlikely, and Zeus could overrule everyone and dictate his wishes.
A growing number of Elis were extremely unhappy with their treatment on Earth, especially the most powerful Sunnies.
Perhaps a nod to wishful thinking, rumors that the radical EDICT
group was going to curtail picking around at the edges and initiate a full blown war on America, with a “silver bullet” or not, circulated among the population. It was a popular idea with the majority of Sunnies. More content with their lot than at any other time in their lifetimes, the Darkies were generally proponents of peace and “We Need More Information.” Their wishes were as relevant to the powers that be as they were on Eli, despite or perhaps because of having made economic gains.
Marshall found it difficult to contain his enthusiasm and called for an emergency meeting that evening.
Zeus smiled at him at the outset and gave him the floor to state the reason everyone knew why there was an emergency.
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Marshall read from the notes he had prepared and said; “I suppose we all know what happened in Phoenix yesterday. If anyone doesn’t I’ll recount the events.” He scanned the room and found no one indicating a lack of knowledge. “From the very beginning of our unwelcomed migration to this un-evolved ape planet Elis have been unfairly subjected to attacks, harassment, terroristic threats, shootings, four possible killings and now four certain unprovoked murders.” He shook his head in disgust.
“We have worked long and hard to achieve peace. Our forefathers, God rest their brilliant souls ...........”
Zeus interrupted him saying; “Spare us the forefather ****, and get to the point. We all know what it is anyway.”
Marshall actually showed a small grin as he cleared his throat and continued; “Prior to coming to Earth our Intelligence made us aware that Earth was a warlike planet, populated by warlike people. This has been proven to us in our short, beleaguered experience. Our original plan to exterminate all of them was only put on hold because of the possibility that the US
government had our ‘silver bullet’ technology, thereby making war either an out and out losing proposition for Elis, or at the very least one in which we would absorb heavy tolls.”
He paused for no good reason other than to prolong his basking in glory. “Ares’ missing ‘silver bullet’ is back in our hands, indicating that the US never had it .........”
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Seth interrupted to say; “You can’t say that. The government could have had it and then somehow lost it to Rancid.”
Marshall made as disgusted a face as he could muster and sharply said; “Get real! Elis are being killed at an increasing rate, and you’re drawing at straws!”
Seth said; “If Rancid had it all along, why did she wait so long to use it?”
Marshall said; “I don’t know. She was a nut. Who can fully explain what nuts do?”
Prometheus asked; “How is it possible that this nut got the weapon away from one of your top people?” He sneered.
Marshall again said; “I don’t know,” and added; “And I don’t appreciate your derogatory inference. I suppose that it’s possible that Ares’ could have died and the nut could have found his body.”
Uncomfortable grumbles emanated from the “We Need More Information” group.
Marshall again spoke, saying; “When this issue was previously discussed, the only ‘fact’ which held us back was that Ares’ ‘silver bullet,’ was missing with the good possibility that it was with the US government. Now we know that it is not. I’m strongly recommending that we immediately enter
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into war with Earth, before they decimate our population, on the strong likelihood that we will easily prevail.”
Brigitte sarcastically said; “I suppose that you are making that assessment based on your lengthy war experience.”
Marshall glumly said; “I have said what I have to say.”
Cronos was less than enthused with the progress of the debate and wanted to be on record, for posterity and current events, as being a supporter of the war. This was for three good reasons; it was his nature; he still strongly suspected that there was some Joshua involved trickery aimed at peace; and it didn’t hurt to be pro-military when running for President. He said; “I realize that we are not 100% certain of the location of Ares’ ‘silver bullet’ at all times since its arrival on the Death Planet. However, we are 100% certain of its location now, and that strongly suggests to me that the US government never had it. Do you really think Rancid had the ability to break through top US security?” His stern eyes perused the room to see the “WNMI” group looking at their reflections on the glossy table. He continued; “And please tell me. I want to be educated.
With the exceptions of the theoretical world of mathematics and the reality of death, where is there any 100% certainty?
........ Please tell me. I’d really like to know. ......... Some wise men or poets previously said that we were sure that the sun would always rise again.” He smirked as he nodded and again
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surveyed the room. “Ask them what wisdom or poetry they now have to bestow on us. ......... Tell me one certainty. .............
Just one thing. ....... I challenge you.”
Zeus kind of interrupted to say; “I’m 100% certain that you no longer have the floor. ........ It’s getting redundant and combative at this juncture. .......... **** well taken point, though.” He nodded at Cronos. “Does anyone else have anything to add?” Hearing silence, he ruled; “We will immediately prepare for war. Marshall, that’s your job.” The WNMI contingent groaned and eyes bugged. Zeus looked at them sternly and said; “AND
Seth. You will engage Intelligence, who will determine if there is a meaningful risk that the US has the ‘silver bullet’
technology. If there is such an issue the war is back on hold.
Meeting adjourned.”
To obtain a virtual certainty Intelligence Analysis, managers compared and contrasted, blindly compare sighted, doubled down with prejudice and performed other tests, so as not to bear more than a .0005% chance of being incorrect. When engaged in matters of the utmost importance, as they always were, but this time it was actually true, they did their utmost to appear to be rushing, though they actually took each step as painstakingly slowly as the laws of inertia would allow, without coming to an obvious halt. The tests took two weeks to perform,
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during which time the Earth had entertained fourteen significant storms, 17,586 murders, 1,760 changes in law and 111,486,321
changes of mind which obliterated the antecedent two week point of stasis. However, while that kind of “insignificant” change was known by all involved, the process served to cover Intelligence’ ass, as they were statistically assured of being correct that the US did not possess “silver bullet” technology to the tune of 99.9995% as of the date commenced, bearing all the relevance of knowing two weeks’ prior stock prices.
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