Alien Deception (19 page)

"How can that be?" he shouted. "The program was intact only a few minutes ago!"

Leumas yelled for the lab technician who had been quietly observing him. "How can that be? How can…" he began, but the lab technician merely shrugged his shoulders.

Leumas sat down in a chair and rubbed his temples with his hands. He was so tired. Once again, Copolla's thugs had outmaneuvered him. But somehow, amazingly, Greg and Sarah had survived.

He walked over to where they slept peacefully and was glad they didn't have a clue about what just happened to them. He spoke softly to the two sleeping bodies. "I don't know how, but you two must have a guardian angel of some sort looking after you. Destiny definitely has something else in store for you. But what?"

His pondering was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Someone was entering the facility. Leumas turned and saw several of the Council’s security force entering the room. They were Arcularians, an alien race that was loyal for life to whatever cause was impressed upon their minds at conception. They had non-descript features within faces composed of skin like pancake batter before cooking. As the head guard approached, Leumas asked with annoyance, "Where have you been? I could have used your assistance a few minutes ago!" Before the guard had a chance to answer, Leumas continued, "You didn't by chance see any suspicious-looking lab technicians on your way in, did you?"

"Is something wrong here?" the officer asked, utterly perplexed. "Suspicious lab technicians? What are you talking about?" The officer continued in confusion. "We were not aware of any problem. There were no alarms."

"Why am I not surprised," Leumas said, cynically, shaking his head. "They probably saw to that also."

"Who saw to what, sir?" The officer began, taking out a note pad. "What's going on here?"

"Forget it," Leumas said disgustedly, then looked at the officer warily, "So, if you are not here to respond to the alarm, why are you here?"

"The Leader of the Council requests your presence immediately. I was sent to escort you."

* * * *

::Are you there, Sarah?::
Greg whispered through his mind, even though he lay physically unconscious in the chair in preparation for the memory wipe. Apparently, the ability to communicate remained even while his body was physically asleep.

::Yes, I'm here,::
she
responded, warily followed by,
::Wherever here actually is.::

::We're asleep physically, yet our minds are still able to communicate.::

::This is really strange.::.

::Strange maybe, but interesting.::

::I wonder how far this power is going to go? Where will it level off? How much will we end up with, and—::

::You're scaring me a little, Greg,::
she cut him off.
::You're starting to sound obsessed by this thing. We need to get back home, for now anyway. Then we can sort through all this stuff.::

::Okay, okay,::
he began, apologetically,
::I understand, Sarah, and I'm sorry. I don't mean to get wrapped up about this power stuff. It's just kind of exciting to me.::
He tried to explain further, wanting her to understand.
::You know, I've always been a run-of-the-mill kind of guy, and now I've suddenly got this great gift. It's just so exciting! And then meeting…you…it's the best thing that has ever happened to me.::

::I'm sorry about getting tense,::
she thought to him softly
. ::But with this memory wipe thing and all, and trying to concentrate on a wall to block the effect, it just makes me nervous. But you…you have been wonderful throughout all of this. I don't think I could have made it alone.::

::You've been the strong one. I feel like when we're together, we can do anything.::

::Yes. Same here. We make a great team.::
Sarah agreed.
::But if the memory wipe should work…::

::I know. I've been thinking the same thing and I have an idea. We still have to concentrate on the wall thing to try and block the affect, but I also want to try to set up some kind of code word just in case we do get mentally wiped. That way, a certain word will trigger a response that might revive our memories. Or, at least, enough so we know to meet or get together or something. How does that sound to you?::

::It sounds reasonable. I'm impressed—good thinking. So what is the word going to be?::

::It has to be a word that will mean something to both of us. Yet it also has to be something that wouldn't be used in an ordinary conversation. Hum, let's see…::

::How about Leumas?::
She offered.
::I mean, use his name. I doubt that a word like that will ever show up anywhere.::

::Sounds great to me! Leumas it is. Whether the word is spoken or written. Same effect. Implant this into your mind. Got it?::

::Got it.::.

::Okay, Sarah, we have to be ready now. The wipe is probably going to touch us at any minute. Remember, concentrate on the wall. The wall. Okay, do you have it, the wall, Sarah?::

::Got it.::

::Now concentrate on the word LEUMAS being behind the wall. Just picture it sitting there, right behind that wall!::

A sound suddenly began to go through their minds. At first it sounded like ocean waves sloshing along the side of a ship. Then the gentle, brushing sound quickly began to grow in intensity to a low roar. Then it turned into the sound of water rushing over a tremendous waterfall.

Neither of them wanted to admit it, but they suspected what it was. It was a tremendous surge of neural energy approaching. It roared toward their minds, rattling and clanking loudly like a wild train hurtling down the tracks with a hundred freight cars.

::Greg! What's that?::
she asked faintly, her thoughts quivering.

::It must be the mind wipe! But it sounds a lot worse than what I imagined it would be. It sounds a hundred times louder. Something's wrong, Sarah, I can sense it!::

::I think you're right! It sounds like someone is trying to do a lot worse than just memory wipe us. I think they're trying to fry our brains!::

::I thought we could trust Leumas!::
Greg screamed above the tremendous sound, which was getting louder.
::SARAH!::
He shouted through his mind as loud as he could.
::Focus on the wall! Sarah, focus on the wall. The wall! The wall! The wall! Remember Leumas behind the wall! Remember Leumas behind the wall!::

The roar vanished, leaving only an eerie silence. Inside their minds remained a cloud of debris and the scattered remnants of a wall.

Chapter Fourteen

LEUMAS TAKES A TRIP

Copolla and several of the Council members sat around a large conference table in his chambers. The group was somber, even though Copolla struggled to hide his good mood beneath a mask of false concern and worry of recent events.

"Such a shame. A real pity," Copolla said, offering a round of drinks to his fellow colleagues by raising the bottle in his hand. "We all had so much faith in him," he said as he shook his head, appearing greatly disturbed. The other members around the table watched him cautiously as they refused any refreshment. He shrugged, and poured himself a large drink.

He had called the meeting with the Council’s top advisors to initiate a policy regarding the planet Earth or, at least, that was what he had told them. Of course, this policy would also ensure that Leumas was out of the picture forever; the final stroke to rid himself of the meddling fool. He took a large gulp from his glass, sighing with pleasure as the liquid warmed his stomach.

He began his oration. "It is very unfortunate that our plan to install the two subjects from Earth has failed. It was not a lack of effort or a desire to succeed that hindered us; but the bottom line is that this tragic failure may prevent us from helping this world." He paused for effect, hanging his head as if greatly saddened by this catastrophic change of events. Slowly raising his head, he continued, "I'm not sure how we should proceed from this point. Are there any suggestions as to where we should go from here?"

The representative from Sirius A, a birdlike/humanoid combination of a creature, squawked through the universal translator, "It is unthinkable that these Earthlings would turn down such a prestigious position."

"Yes, it most certainly is," Copolla agreed quickly. "They were given the opportunity to ensure that their species would survive and avoid unnecessary violence and death. They could have shaped their planet's future." He sighed, trying to bait the other members in the direction he wanted.

"What are the chances of Earth surviving for the next one hundred years?" The reptilian representative from Sirius B asked, as its long skinny tongue danced through the syllables.

"Well, I hear the going prediction is ten to one odds against," Copolla said with seeming remorse and a grim face.

"Is that a fact? Ten to one? I've heard twelve to one." Sirius A shrugged its shoulders.

Copolla rubbed his temples in irritation. "Whatever the odds, they aren't very favorable. We may lose the entire planet."

Silence settled over the group. Copolla impatiently waited for one of them to respond to his baiting.

"You know, a little influence or shaping of their culture could probably help those odds," the delegate from Wolf 359, a bi-colored, half blue-half white, humanoid added.

Copolla and the delegate from Sirius B looked at him in sudden interest.

"What did you have in mind?" Copolla asked, secretly pleased that his plan was working.

Wolf 359 straightened in his chair, proud of the interest in his suggestion from Copolla and his colleague.

"This year is an election year for some of the Earthlings, is it not?" the delegate asked, a thin smile casually spreading across its face, half blue and half white.

"Yes, I believe it is. An election in their most powerful country, the United States," the Sirius A representative answered, nodding.

"So tell me, which candidate looks like the one to best lead the planet on a path toward reconciliation and space exploration advancements?" Sirius B asked, seriously.

Copolla began rubbing his hands together as the path he wanted had been chosen.

"Well, neither of their major parties has anything new to offer. Their politics have become more important than the people they represent," Wolf 359 said cynically. "This might just be as good a time as any to get what they call an independent, a third party candidate, in there."

Copolla phrased his next words carefully, to ensure he did not falter. "So are you suggesting that we have someone influence this third party candidate so the Earthlings would see things in a different light, so to speak?"

Wolf 359 stroked his chin in thought, and answered. "I think this situation is too volatile for simple influencing. We need a presence on the planet itself to ensure that they immediately assume their correct path. Influencing is required, I agree. But I feel this stronger measure is needed."

"This is not normal protocol!" The delegate from Lalande 21185 suddenly exclaimed, drawing stares from the other members. An asexual creature resembling a sloth, their skin changed colors, similar to a chameleon, but indicative of mood instead of camouflage. Now it was showing red, for frustration and anger.

"This is not a normal situation either," Copolla answered quickly, trying to control his anger at the interruption. "Drastic times call for drastic measures! To lose an entire planet would be much more devastating than what we are proposing. Our main goal is to save lives, is it not?"

Copolla turned back to Sirius A, effectively dismissing the comment from Lalande 21185.

"Who did you have in mind to oversee this operation?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Why not send Leumas? He is perfect," the delegate from Sirius A proposed.

Silence settled over the table. All eyes fell upon Copolla.

"After all that has happened?" Copolla questioned, seemingly incredulous but laughing inside. "Are you actually suggesting that we risk such an important event on someone who failed on a simple assimilation process? I just don't know." He made the appearance of being deep in thought, greatly concerned. He patiently waited for someone to agree with the delegate from Sirius A.

"I stand with the delegate from Sirius A," the delegate from Wolf 359 announced, standing from his seat and looking at the other members around the table. "Leumas may have made a mistake in judgment, but he is still one of the best. He deserves another chance."

The other members nodded their heads in agreement, except for Lalande 21185.

Copolla hesitated for a few moments as if considering the request but, in his mind, his true thoughts were conveyed
. This was just too easy,
he thought smugly.
This group was so predictable.

"I am the Leader of a very wise and compassionate group," he began congenially, as he placed his hand on his chest. "You all have such creative insight and wisdom that my decision is made without any hesitation. I want you to take this proposal to the other members of the Council for final approval. I am sure that they all will agree that this is the way to proceed." He raised his fist in the air, and finished, "It will be done. Leumas will be sent to the Earth to personally take control of the situation and hopefully save the planet from its own destruction!"

As the last syllable rang out, Leumas strode into Coppola's chambers. The room became deathly quiet as he entered.

"Thank you for your wonderful and efficient service," Leumas turned and said sarcastically to the security guard. "Without which I no doubt would not have been able to find this room." He made sure he said it loud enough so that everyone heard it.