Saving 1641 Read online

  SAVING 1641

  ROBERT JAY DILGER

  Copyright © 2017 Robert Jay Dilger

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 0692868755

  ISBN 13: 9780692868751

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905308

  Robert Jay Dilger, Morgantown, WV

  To Gloria, Anne, Alex, Trey, Kate, Lucy, and Jacob

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1 BRANDIX’S MOTION

  Chapter 2 THE IMPLANT

  Chapter 3 DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

  Chapter 4 VOICES

  Chapter 5 THE CAMPSITE

  Chapter 6 TOLL RIVER

  Chapter 7 THE ISLAND

  Chapter 8 THE COMMON GOOD

  Chapter 9 A CHANGE OF PLANS

  Chapter 10 LET THE LESSONS BEGIN

  Chapter 11 PREPARATIONS

  Chapter 12 THE TRIP TO RYLYN

  Chapter 13 WELCOME HOME

  Chapter 14 ALEX’S SECRET

  Chapter 15 KATHRYN’S ADVENTURE

  Chapter 16 CONFESSIONS

  Chapter 17 BRANDIX’S DEAL

  Chapter 18 CAPTURED

  Chapter 19 THE MASTER PLAN

  Chapter 20 THE SETUP

  Chapter 21 ELECTION DAY

  Chapter 22 SCANDAL

  Chapter 23 ALEX’S ROOF

  Chapter 24 THE CROWBAR

  Chapter 25 ANNE HOPKINS

  Chapter 26 AUNT EMMA’S HOUSE

  Chapter 27 THE SEWER

  Chapter 28 US OR THEM

  Chapter 29 LOVERS

  Chapter 30 THE COMMAND CENTER

  Chapter 31 THE END-AROUND

  Chapter 32 THE FIREFIGHT

  Chapter 33 ARMAGEDDON

  Chapter 34 VICTORY?

  Chapter 35 WHO DID IT?

  Chapter 36 ROBOTS DON’T BLEED

  Chapter 37 GOING HOME

  Chapter 38 THE RENDEZVOUS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Chapter 1

  BRANDIX’S MOTION

  Dee Sanders’ face filled the computer screen.

  “What is going on?” Michael asked anxiously. “I thought that everything was all set. We’ve been hearing rumors that Justices Stevenson and Jackson are now going to vote no.”

  “We lost Justice Jackson,” Dee answered. “The extraction companies have offered each of the Justices three million credits if they vote no and the motion fails. She told us that she needs the credits.”

  “That’s illegal!” Michael shouted.

  “That’s politics,” Dee answered. “Buying votes is illegal, but the extraction companies know what they are doing. The credits will be laundered through multiple off-world accounts. No one will be able to prove a thing.”

  “What about Justice Stevenson?” Michael asked, fearing the worst. “Have we lost her too?”

  “Not yet,” Dee answered. “She wants to vote with us, but it’s hard to ignore three million credits. And she knows what the extraction companies will do to her if she votes against them. They will dig into her personal life and use whatever they find to smear her reputation, fund her opponent’s campaign during the next election cycle, and go after her family’s business interests. Their organized boycotts of businesses affiliated with politicians that they don’t like are legendary. Given all that, I can understand why she might vote no. But we still have a chance. She has asked for a face-to-face to discuss the upcoming vote. Justice Brandix is meeting with her as we speak. I suspect that she wants to know if we can match the extraction companies’ offer and protect her family’s business interests if she votes with us.”

  “Can we?” Michael asked.

  “Not really,” Dee replied. “The McGregor Foundation for Biodiversity and several other philanthropic organizations have agreed to provide lucrative speaking engagements at off-world resorts to any Justice that votes with us, but we can’t compete with three million credits. And there isn’t much that we can do to protect her family’s business interests. We know some financiers that might be willing to help, but we can’t prevent the extraction companies and their allies from boycotting another business or from pressuring others to join a boycott.”

  “Damn!” Michael shouted. “Isn’t there anything that we can do to turn this thing around?”

  “It’s not looking good, but it’s not over yet,” Dee explained. “Justice Stevenson strikes me as someone who might stand up to the extraction companies. But even if we can hold onto her vote several of the other Justices who told us that we can count on their vote are now wavering. Unfortunately, the extraction companies aren’t the only ones lobbying against us. Several high-stakes commodity and land futures traders have invested millions in the futures market, betting that we are going to lose. They are offering the Justices all sorts of enticements to vote no, including jobs for relatives, paid speaking engagements, campaign donations, you name it and it is being offered.”

  “I hate politics!” Michael stated emphatically. “There are thousands of people living on that planet. Decent, hard-working people who don’t pose a threat to anyone. It shouldn’t matter that they are technologically backward. We should be helping them. It’s their planet, not ours. What kind of justice is this? It’s just not right!”

  “We are doing everything that we can,” Dee answered. “It’s obvious that they should be granted a reprieve. But credits talk and now that Justice Jackson has switched her vote, we have to do something drastic or there will be a stampede over to the other side. No one will vote for the motion if they think that it is going to fail. That would be like throwing away three million credits, not to mention what the extraction companies will do to them if they vote yes. So, we have offered a compromise. One that we hope will be enough to keep Justice Stevenson’s vote. If we can keep her, we have a chance.”

  A bell rang in the background on her end of the conversation.

  “Court is being called into session,” Dee stated, reaching for the off button. “Got to go. Cross your fingers and wish us luck. We are going to need it.”

  The computer screen went blank.

  Michael keyed in Alex and Kristi’s numbers. Alex answered first.

  “Court is being called into session,” Michael stated.

  “Thanks,” Alex answered. “I will be right over.”

  Kristi answered next.

  “Court is being called into session,” Michael repeated. “Alex is on his way over. Are you joining us?”

  “Of course,” she answered. “What’s the prognosis?”

  “It doesn’t look good,” Michael replied. “The extraction companies are offering the Justices three million credits each to vote no, but they get the credits only if the motion fails. Justice Jackson has already told us that she has decided to vote no and several of the other Justices that have committed to us in private are also thinking about voting no. Dee said that Brandix has offered a compromise that might work, but she didn’t have time to fill me in on the details.”

  “Compromise?” Kristi asked. “How can you compromise something like this? You either grant them a reprieve or you wipe them out. There is no middle ground.”

  “She did not have time to explain,” Michael answered. “But if anyone can figure a way out of this, it’s Dee Sanders.”

  “You place too much trust in her,” Kristi responded.

  “She’s more than just a political ally,” Michael replied. “You know that.”

  “I know that you have been seeing her,” Kristi answered. “But, just for the record, I think that you are making a big mistake. She works for a politician and all politicians, including those who work for them, are alike. One day they are your best friend, singing your praises. The next they are your mortal enemy. Politicians will say and do anything to get elected and once they are in office they do wha
tever the highest bidder asks. Deep down, beneath all the flowery language, they, and everyone who works for them, are liars, cheats, and con artists. They have no moral compass.”

  “Will you stop?” Michael pleaded. “Dee Sanders is different.”

  “I am not your mother,” Kristi answered. “You can see whomever you want. Your private life is just that, private. But mark my words. The day will come when you will regret that you ever met Dee Sanders.”

  “Fine,” Michael stated with a deep sigh. “I have been forewarned. Now, are you coming over or not? Court is about to convene.”

  “Of course,” Kristi answered. “My hovercraft is already on its way to pick me up.”

  “It’s first on their agenda,” Michael stated, leading Alex and Kristi into his living room.

  “I hope that Brandix knows what he is doing,” Kristi stated as she sat on a green, three-cushioned couch facing a very large viewing screen hanging on the wall. “It sounds like the extraction companies think that they have this thing all tied up into a pretty little bow.”

  “I’d like to tie up some of those corporate lobbyists and knock some sense into them,” Alex grumbled as he sat on the couch’s middle cushion, next to Kristi.

  Michael turned up the viewing screen’s sound and sat on the couch’s empty cushion, next to Alex. The viewing screen showed a panoramic view of the Interstellar Court of Justice’s chamber. It was packed tight with high-ranking government officials from throughout the Consortium. Interns patrolled the carpeted isles making certain that everyone was reminded of the no talking rule during oral argument. Armed members of the Intergalactic Armada, wearing their dress white uniforms, stood shoulder-to-shoulder along the chamber’s outer walls. The media gallery, which covered the entire front half of the chamber’s tiered mezzanine, was full. Robocameras hovered high over the reporters’ heads, broadcasting the proceedings live to over 300 planets. The mezzanine’s remaining seats were occupied by ordinary citizens who had won their seats through the Court’s weekly lottery. A hot ticket item, those seats were routinely sold and resold on the black market for hundreds and, depending on the Court’s docket, thousands of credits.

  A message ribbon scrolled slowly across the bottom half of the viewing screen, “The Interstellar Court of Justice will convene momentarily. The first item under consideration is a motion by Justice Jayden Brandix to grant a reprieve to Planet 1641, Northwest Quadrant, Outer Spiral Number 4. The planet has been classified as highly desirable for both colonization and mineral extraction. It is sparsely populated and although the local inhabitants have reportedly made some technological advances in recent years, they have not yet achieved spaceflight.” The message started to repeat itself.

  The Court Clerk and Parliamentarian took their seats in front of the dais, a sure sign that the Court was about to convene. The Sergeant of Arms, a very large, ominous-looking reptilian with numerous ribbons and medals adorning his uniform, approached the dais, faced the audience, and announced in a very deep voice, “All rise. Court is now in session, the honorable Chief Justice Karen Kartini presiding. Turn off all communication devices. No outbursts or demonstrations of any kind will be tolerated. Any disturbances will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. May justice prevail.”

  A uniformed, armed guard opened a door at the rear of the dais. The 15 Justices filed in, one after another, in order of seniority, starting with Justice Stevenson, the newest Justice, and ending with Chief Justice Kartini who took her seat in the middle of the elegant and elongated wooden desk facing the audience. The seven newest Justices, including three reptilians, sat to her left and the remaining seven Justices, all humanoid, sat to her right. A very large mural of the original five Interstellar Court Justices, dressed in full-length, flowing black robes and looking very distinguished, hung on the wall behind the dais, providing an ambiance of dignity and historic importance. The Justices wore their traditional black robes with a colored star on the sleeve, the star’s color indicating the Justice’s galaxy of origin.

  Michael spotted Dee Sanders taking a seat directly behind her boss, Justice Brandix. Blessed with high cheek bones, a perfectly symmetrical face, beautiful, meticulously combed soft blond hair, and light blue eyes, she projected an air of confidence, knowledge, and power. Michael had hoped that her facial expression or body language might provide a hint of what was about to happen. He should have known better. Masking emotions was a talent that she had perfected over the years as Brandix’s lead, behind-the-scenes, political negotiator.

  “The Clerk shall read the motion,” Chief Justice Kartini announced as the audience took their seats.

  “Motion by Justice Brandix, with an amendment,” the Clerk started. “The original motion reads, ‘Whereas the Consortium’s mission is to maximize the welfare of its Members, it is hereby decreed that the inhabitants of Planet 1641, who have been determined not to present a threat to interstellar commerce and have made significant technological progress in recent years, are granted a time-limited reprieve, not to exceed 50 standard years to achieve spaceflight and 100 standard years to achieve interstellar spaceflight, commencing on the date of passage. Failure to achieve either of these performance requirements shall result in immediate relocation of the local inhabitants if any Consortium Member shall have them or, if not, immediate reboot. No unauthorized outside assistance or interference is permitted. There shall be one, and only one, implant. Mineral extraction and colonization are prohibited during the reprieve.’”

  The Clerk paused for a moment and then continued. “As amended, the last sentence is struck and replaced with the following: ‘Mineral extraction and colonization are prohibited on the planet’s inhabited continent during the reprieve. Commercial operations and mineral extraction on the planet’s three uninhabited continents are permitted. Applicable regulations, including those protecting native species, apply. Colonization is also permitted on the planet’s three uninhabited continents, but only to the extent necessary to support commercial operations and mineral extraction.’”

  “Is there a second?” Chief Justice Kartini asked.

  Michael leaned forward knowing that this was a critical moment. The motion needed a second. Otherwise, the default decision was an immediate reboot. An awkward moment of silence descended across the chamber as each of the Justices looked about them. Justice Stevenson cleared her throat and slowly raised her hand.

  “I second the motion,” she announced.

  A noticeable murmur spread throughout the chamber. The Court’s Sergeant of Arms stood, glaring at the audience members who quickly fell silent.

  “Does anyone wish to speak to the motion?” Chief Justice Kartini asked, looking first to her left and then to her right.

  Justice Casseday, seated immediately to the Chief Justice’s right, leaned forward and activated the recording device in front of him. A harsh-looking man with short brown hair, he looked like someone who had grown accustomed to having his way.

  “I rise in opposition to the motion,” he announced, not leaving his seat.

  “You are recognized for 10 minutes,” Chief Justice Kartini responded.

  “I commend my colleague for his compassion,” Justice Casseday began, purposively looking at the robocameras broadcasting the proceedings and not at Justice Brandix. “But this is not the time for compassion. Five Consortium Members have reached full population capacity. They have no more room to grow. They have colonized all of their moons and asteroids. They need habitable land. Lots of land. This planet has lots of habitable land. It is perfect for our needs. It is ripe for harvest. It is sparsely populated. It is rich in minerals. It has a relatively mild climate. It has vast oceans full of hydrogen, the building block of interstellar flight. Plus, the current inhabitants are far from spaceflight. They cook their meals over open fires and hunt with bows and arrows. It is very unlikely that they will meet these performance requirements. Even if they could, we cannot afford to wait 100 years for them to become viable trading partners. O
ur charter is crystal clear. We were formed to promote the economic welfare of our Member planets. That planet is not a Member. We have needs that must be met. Waiting is, in my opinion, a waste of valuable time. With all due respect for my distinguished colleague, I will vote against the motion.”

  Justice Casseday turned off the recording device, indicating that he was finished speaking. Justice Brandix leaned forward and activated the recording device in front of him.

  “I rise in support of the motion,” he stated.

  “You are recognized for 10 minutes,” Chief Justice Kartini responded.

  “My esteemed colleague’s description of this planet is correct,” Justice Brandix started, turning his face so that he was looking straight at Justice Casseday. “It is a virtual treasure trove of natural wonders. There are snow-capped mountains that reach up to the planet’s ionosphere, its oceans are teeming with life, and its land is fertile and rich in mineral deposits.”

  Placing his right hand over his heart, he continued, “I understand that we have needs. But who are we to cast this planet’s inhabitants aside without providing them an opportunity to join us as viable trading partners?”

  Turning to the robocameras, he continued, “We are not thieves. We do not take what is not ours. We are not conquerors. We are entrepreneurs. Businessmen and businesswomen dedicated to the principle of equal economic opportunity for all. That includes newly discovered civilizations. And as backward as they may seem, they have not been afforded an opportunity to grow with the assistance of an implant. It is only fair that we correct that oversight. We have routinely approved implants in the past. In fact, we have approved six implants since I have been on the Court. Let’s be crystal clear. I am not seeking special treatment for these people. I am not seeking Full Membership. I am not seeking Junior Membership. All I am saying is that they deserve a fair chance to prove themselves, just like the people on those six other planets that received an implant. Giving people a fair chance is the basis of our civilization. We formed the Consortium because we recognized that the best means of securing peace and economic prosperity is to stand together as a single mutually reinforcing society, where each and every planet is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of its economic standing and technological achievement. The old days of survival of the fittest, where the strong planets preyed upon the weak, were put behind us long ago. We can take that planet. We have the power to do that. But at what cost? Credits are important. I understand that. That is why I amended my motion to allow mineral extraction and commercial development on the planet’s uninhabited continents. But we are more than just an economic machine. What sets us apart from the lower life forms is our ability to resist the temptations of today for the rewards of tomorrow. Rebooting Planet 1641 would be a horrible, tragic mistake. It would provide a short-term economic gain, I cannot deny that. But, once again, at what cost? Just because you can do something does not mean that you should do it. We need to send a message to every newly discovered inhabited planet and every Full and Junior Member of the Consortium exactly what it means to be part of the Consortium of Allied Planets. It means that you stand or fall on the merits of your own hard work. The rule of law is on your side. It protects everyone, from the richest corporate tycoon to the aspiring new entrepreneur, from thieves and hucksters. It ensures that everyone, including newly discovered planets, have a fair chance to succeed. I say that we give the people of Planet 1641 a fair chance. It is what we stand for. It is who we are. It is the right thing to do.”