The Alpha Choice (15 page)

In time, it was announced that all private transports would use anti-grav drives, so ensuring safe, cheap and speedy transport across the globe. Of course, the new drives would not undo global warming, and this was Hugo's ace. He arranged a summit of the heads of government of the most powerful nations, no one turned down the invite. Before a room containing the most powerful people on the planet, he casually announced that TeCorp could undo the effects of global warming, giving them only enough information to stimulate their interest, and garner unconditional support. The solution involved the use of twenty-four TeCorp satellites in geo stationary orbit around the Earth, releasing nano-like particles, which would have the effect of selectively reflecting harmful rays back into space, while at the same time, reconstructing the ozone layer itself.

Initially, the idea was met with more than a little incredulity, until he pointed out that if they had been approached prior to the introduction of anti-grav drives, they would have found the suggestion equally far-fetched. With no one wanting to be the odd one out, there was unanimous agreement. He insisted they all monitor the operation, with each head of government having the power of veto, before completion. The entire exercise would take no more than seventy-two hours.

The process began six days after the summit. All satellites were launched simultaneously, into an orbit over a hundred kilometres above the Earth. Within an hour of the deployment, their cargo was released, falling towards the stratosphere before activating. Not only were there no detrimental side effects to the planet below, but definite signs of a rejuvenating ozone layer were reported, almost immediately. Shortly before the expiration of the seventy-two hours deadline, all observers reported that the ozone layer was intact. They had witnessed the impossible.

This achievement pinpointed the exact moment of Hugo Black’s stock becoming international currency. Everyone wanted to be his new best friend, and his influence around the globe, was absolute. He was still amazed that no one had seriously pursued the obvious question,
how is it all done?
It was the most extreme example he had ever known of pragmatism trumping legal process. No patents were ever filed, not that there was any need for them when no Tellurian scientist, or technician could back engineer any of the technology. Not one of these achievements had been challenged, but he quickly realised that people were simply grateful, and perhaps a little afraid of it disappearing if they looked too closely.

For years, Tellurians had become increasingly worried about threats to their very existence, unable to find answers, or even agree the questions. So, when they were given the solution, and everything worked as promised, they never questioned how it was all achieved. After all, this was science not magic. No one raised the possibility of extra terrestrial origin, that would be almost as absurd as magic.
 

Governments understood that TeCorp would be unhappy if the designs of their technological marvels became public knowledge, but that did not stop them asking. Their initial curiosity was tempered, however, when Hugo explained that if they were to press the point, TeCorp would simply withdraw the technology, and destroy the blueprints. Realism won the day.
 

Of course, there had been official visits to the TeCorp plants, but as the Te'an workers were human, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Hugo knew that only when everyone on Earth had accepted Te'an technology would the Te announce their presence. There would be sceptics arguing that it was a case of
Greeks bearing Gifts
, rejecting any suggestion of altruism, but he knew they would be in the minority. Whatever the outcome, he was uncomfortable with the deception and, not for the first time, was impatient for the façade to be dismantled.
 

He was drawn back to the real world by a light tap on the door. It would be Tala, she preferred to knock rather than use the intercom. He thought it ironic that a being from such a technologically advanced race, would prefer to announce her presence in this way. ‘Come in Tala.’
 

The door opened, and in walked the female Te'an operative he had met in his old office only a year and a half ago. Back then, she was warm and approachable, now her demeanour was even more relaxed.

He recalled a conversation they had six months earlier when she invited him around to the Te'an suite of offices, for coffee - a drink that was totally new to them. After some unnecessary conversation over performance targets in the plants, she changed topic. ‘This is my maiden diplomatic mission, Hugo,’ it was the first time she had confided in him, on a personal level, and he was more than a little bewildered. ‘There was some doubt, back home, as to whether I could carry it off. I was under a lot of pressure when we first met, you probably noticed me being on edge.’

‘Quite the contrary,’ he replied, ‘you seemed supremely confident.’
 

Tala looked genuinely surprised. ‘The success of TeCorp has convinced my superiors they made the right choice. It’s made things a lot easier for me, I don’t feel as though my every action is being appraised.’

From that time, the format of their meetings changed. Beron was never present, and once they had swiftly disposed of business, talk moved on, effortlessly to free expression of their thoughts and personal histories, or so Hugo believed.

Back in the present, Tala settled into a chair next to one of the panoramic windows, Hugo had already walked around his desk to join her. His taste in office décor had changed very little since his relocation, save for the addition of easy chairs that enjoyed the views afforded by the sheer glass walls, now on two sides. Other than the views, the office reminded him of his former life, he liked to think it grounded him.

‘Hugo, we need to discuss your golf day.’

Golf day

Δ

TeCorp’s golf day was not the usual corporate affair. Firstly, there were only two players, and it was never intended they would play more than one hole. Secondly, it was the only golf day TeCorp intended hosting. The event was to be screened across the globe. The purpose? To showcase the highly advanced
nanotechnology
that would soon be used throughout the world, although calling it nanotechnology was an injustice, as the watching billions were about to discover.

The demonstration would take place three miles from TeCorp headquarters, on arable land belonging to the corporation. Observers, exclusively the press corps, were brought to the site by anti-grav craft, which left immediately following disembarkation. Power supplies were provided for the broadcasting equipment, and a dais quickly erected.

Representing TeCorp were Hugo, Liz Corcoran and the two Te’an agents, both looking sleek, efficient and calm; a technician dressed in TeCorp emblazoned coveralls, stood at a console, positioned behind, and to the side of the representatives. The President's retinue included his chief of staff Gerry Wye, three aides and a couple of dozen Secret Service men and women.

For TeCorp purposes it was critical the transformation was seen from bedrock. The denuded area, deeper than the height of a man, stretched away before them. At ground level in the top left hand corner were two small structures. No explanation was given for either the condition of the land or the presence of the structures, but in the early hours Te’an ships had, with considerable difficulty, created a teleportation field covering the entire area, extending to the upper boundary of the exosphere; it was in place for all of three nanoseconds, and all material down to the bedrock was jettisoned into space. As for the structures, they would be unveiled later.

Four black anti-grav ships glided into view, and hovered above the prepared zone. A panel, on the bottom of each ship, slid open and disgorged a golden cloud that gravity drew downwards. Over the space of a few short seconds nothing happened, then the yellowish mantle began to swell outwards, in all directions. When it reached the boundaries the Te had clearly marked, the two-dimensional expansion abruptly stopped, and the blanket began to rise until the denuded area was completely covered.
 

The process had taken only nine seconds!

The ships sped away, and when those on the ground were quite alone, save for the billions around the globe watching live TV feeds, Hugo turned to the technician and nodded. The cloud began to assume recognisable shapes, in some areas rising in columns, growing to take on the form and colour of trees, each one different. Some small areas changed colour only slightly, acquiring the texture of sand, as central parts sank and outer edges rose to form bunkers.
 

The predominant colour was green, which to the onlooker became grass of varying heights, some almost as short as the baize of a pool table, to represent putting greens. Close-cropped fairways appeared, with longer grass representing semi-rough, growing beyond that, to deep rough. As parts of the cloud adopted the appearance of translucence, the morning sun began coruscating on the surface of newly formed streams, engorging half filled ponds. Even stone walls and flagpoles were formed.

Despite the onlookers understanding that none of what they were witnessing was natural, no one watching could fail to be stunned by the sheer technical brilliance, and breathtaking beauty of what was unfolding before them.

Soon, the transformation was complete. To many who watched, the most eagerly anticipated part of the demonstration was hidden from view. Their program notes were deliberately shy on details, other than a participatory experiment. The ploy was calculated to heighten the sense of anticipation, and it was working.

Heads turned, and murmuring circulated through the invited gathering, as all eyes alighted on a copse of trees, to the side of a distant, newly formed putting green. Everyone guessed that what they longed to see was, tantalisingly, within those trees - where the two lone structures had stood - but everyone had to remain within the group, and be patient. Any attempt to break away, to be the first to glimpse what lay hidden from view, would result in instant expulsion from the demonstration.
 

Hugo extended his hand towards President Conway, signalling completion of the first demonstration. This was the President’s moment; he approached the dais positioned before a staggering array of television cameras. Smiling, his eyes swept the lenses and microphones that would relay his image and words to more than a third of the Earth's population. ‘I am sure you will all share, with me, the sense of wonder at all we have witnessed here, today. This demonstration was only, in part, for fun as it represents something far more significant for the poor and deprived of our planet, wherever they may be. Homes and sanitation for all, regardless of colour, race or creed. We can transform our habitats to suit our needs. As our circumstances change, the technology can adapt. I have no hesitation in recommending that we should all embrace this gift with open arms,’ cue tumultuous applause.
 

The response showed no sign of abating. Now smiling with genuine pleasure, he raised his left hand, the applause faded. ‘Already, TeCorp has provided us with marvels we did not think even our grandchildren would see: aerial transport that does not depend upon fossil fuels; a replenished ozone layer and de-carbonated seas, but I promise you are all in for a treat today.’

He inclined his head toward Hugo and said, only half jokingly. ‘I'm glad Hugo Black is not running for President.’ Once again, as soon as he had stopped speaking there was a rapturous response. He held out his right hand to Hugo, which, both men knew, was not just the hand of friendship but, more meaningfully, an invitation.
 

Hugo clasped the proffered hand without hesitation, and in so doing, announced his support for the incumbent President. While none of the cameras would pick it up, there was the merest trace of relief, and gratitude writ small upon the President's face.

In case any person watching might underestimate the gesture, Hugo embraced the other man. The wealthiest, most powerful man on Earth had just given his endorsement to the man who would, in a few months time, be re-elected President of the United States of America.

The formalities over, the two men turned their attention to the token golf course that lay before them. The best course designers, and the most assiduous care could not, over one hundred years, produce anything more stunning.

This whole demonstration had been chosen by Hugo because it was common knowledge the President was an avid, but by no means good golfer. Many of the domestic viewers wanted to see the leader of the free world doing the normal things they might do, whether golf qualified was questionable, but it would serve its purpose, whetting the spectators’ appetite for what was to follow.
 

Without further ado, Michael Conway walked over to the waiting tee box and looked down the immaculate fairway. Removing his jacket and tie, he handed them to an aide who, in return, gave him a driver. The President had already taken the liberty of wearing black training shoes in readiness - to the casual observer they were indistinguishable from dress shoes. Some unseen thoughtful person, no doubt a Secret Service agent, had already teed up a golf ball.

Before a worldwide television audience, he swung at the ball, then watched as it soared two thirds of the way down the fairway, before leaking right and crashing into a bush in the right-hand rough. Turning to the cameras he said, with a wink. ‘A pity the technology didn't extend to my swing!’ Then, with a wave, he strode up the fairway.

Hugo had previously decided it would be inappropriate to play against the President, this day was never about golf. Nevertheless, he stayed close to him, and when President Conway set off to find his ball, Hugo was by his side, leaving the camera crews to hurry after them. Everyone knew there was more to be seen by following the two men; they would not be denied, and certainly would not be disappointed.

Fortunately, the President’s wayward tee shot had ricocheted out into the light rough. From there he played the ball a short distance on to the fairway, followed by a short pitch, which landed in one of the green side bunkers.