Chapter Twenty
The Debriefing
The Allison welcoming crowd at Cape Canaveral Space Center, having previously witnessed an abundant number of pictures streaming down from planet Zorbus, was even larger than the one she witnessed during her takeoff. If that was even possible. It wasn’t every day that the average American citizen witnessed such a historical event and they knew it. Many among the huge crowds were holding signs with messages of greetings welcoming home Commander Dawkins: “All hail our hero,” and the usual: “Allison for President.”
Waving to the crowd, Allison was quickly escorted into a private room. Promptly examined for possible contagion or deadly viruses found on planet Zorbus. Somewhere in the crowd, she thought she saw members of her family and her soon-to-be fiancé, Brad Jefferies. Given the ‘all clear’ sign, she quickly changed from her space uniform to civilian clothes.
It took several hours for Allison to finally feel like she was truly back on planet Earth. So much had happened over such a short span of time. It took a while to clear her head. Preparing herself for the most important part of her journey: the debriefing. To share with a group of powerful men and women her experience and how she felt they should go from there.
The United States of America was receiving pressure from every nation in the world, Requesting detailed information regarding Allison’s discoveries on her historic voyage to the ‘mysterious’ planet. Some like superpowers China and Russia were relentless, demanding information, ever frightful the United States might begin immediate steps to work out a joint military alliance with the extraterrestrial aliens who may have access to sophisticated weapons never heard of on this planet. More powerful than anything Russia and China might have, putting superpowers like Russia and China at a disadvantage, militarily. At this time, they were not aware of plant Zorbus’s cataclysmic past, with that planet destroying most of its defensive weapons, leaving the planet defenseless.
In stark contrast the United States and its allies took a strong stance, denying Russia and China early access to the new planet, Zorbus. Fearful that those two superpowers might enforce their will on a weaker planet, a planet with limited or no way to protect itself. Unfortunately, this stance taken by the States and their allies did not hold, with Russia and China, as we will see, eventually managing to make their own contact with no way for the United States and its allies to stop them without an all-out war which no one wanted.
NASA officials wasted no time in setting up a meeting with their people which included members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), leaders from the United States Department of Defense, and those who advise the President of the United States on interplanetary relations. Secretary of Defense, Homeland Security Council, and the National Security Council on military affairs and members of the House and Senate Defense committees. Allison stunned by the number of big guns, but not afraid, began a brief discussion about her findings, specifically expressing how planet Zorbus was concerned about the advancement of A-I robots, threatening their very existence.
“Esteemed ladies and gentlemen,” began Commander Dawkins delivering a summary of her historic mission to planet Zorbus, “I feel honored to be here and honored that you chose me to be the first to visit another planet which none of us in our wildest imagination ever thought existed. I was astonished at how similar our two planets are. My overall opinion is that planet Zorbus, now that we know the planet exists, seeks a peaceful relationship with our planet and looks forward to trade and exchange of knowledge between the two planets. Understandably, due to the vast distance between us, it may take years if not decades before a satisfactory working relationship between the two planets can worked out.”
“Unfortunately, time is of the essence, as it was brought to my attention by members of the Zorbus Security Council as there currently exists on planet Zorbus a cabal of corrupt operatives working outside the government with wishes for a complete takeover of the planet by the use of artificial intelligent (A-I) robots. The control of these A-I robots is currently in the hands of this very small cabal. Although small, this group of select governmental dissenters is not afraid to go to the extreme, even to the extent of blocking further communications from us to planet Zorbus. That is why I think it is urgent for our country to seek out a way to help this planet neutralize this enemy before it destroys planet Zorbus.”
At this point, Ross Tenner, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spoke up. “Commander Dawkins, do you really think this country is going to get involved in the politics of a foreign planet that’s thousands of miles from our shore?” Explain, please.”
“Thank you, Admiral Tenner, for your very important question. Here is your answer. You must understand that these A-I robots have reached a level of intelligent sophistication far beyond anything anyone on this planet would have thought possible. Just as soon as they take control of Zorbus, they will, if we do not stop them, continue to search around our galaxy, mining heat-resistant exotic metals we never heard of. Seeking out empires, like planet Earth which they can easily destroy.”
“This threat from these monsters is real. They could conceivably reach our own shores with help from our chief military rivals, China, and Russia. On the surface, although what I have stated may sound a bit bizarre, it is in the realm of possibility. Nothing would make Russia and China happier than to see the great Satan, that’s us, made to bow to a higher power.”
Another inquisitive member of the JCS from the Pentagon, going so far as to interrupt his own boss, not always a good idea, completely ignoring the opening remarks made by Allison, blurting out: “I want to know how you managed to speak their language in such short order.”
Allison braced herself to tell another fabrication as she had no intention of sharing with this group her real identity. Especially this over-pompous lard-ass.
“In the beginning of our first face-to-face meeting,” responded Allison, “it was incredibly awkward. Everyone in attendance quickly realized, that using nothing but hand signals to communicate, was never going to work. Then the chairperson of the gathering brought out a robot which I spoke directly to, identifying myself as Commander Allison Dawkins from planet Earth. Declaring my wish to learn more about planet Zorbus so relations between our two planets might be explored. The robot then turned to his people. Repeating what I just said in different dialogues, one dialogue after another real fast.”
“Noticing the smiles on their faces, it was evident the robot was able to translate the English language into their language, Sorbeezee. They, in turn, spoke their Sorbeezee language to the robot. Once, the message spoken was translated by the robot, the message was repeated back to me. In addition, they gave me one of their Sorbeezee language primers with a translating code set up to translate Sorbeezee into English.”
“It would be prudent, I think, for us to use this useful tool in translating future messages we receive from plant Zorbus. We should also be thinking about teaching Zorbus to a select group of linguists to use as future translators/interpreters. During these uncertain times, with our relationship with the people of Zorbus unclear, I am available to assist in translating messages received from planet Zorbus.”
“After we had successfully conquered the English /Sorbeezee language barrier, I was formally welcomed to planet Zorbus. Excited that the mystery of another planet supporting intelligent life has finally been solved. I then spoke directly to all eighty-three nations using Tel-Link, their communication system. Explaining that we were responding to their plea in searching for a child. A child that had been lost in the cosmos many years ago. Although there is little chance, we believe, this lost child made it all the way to planet Earth. We on Earth, a planet of one-hundred and ninety-six nations are anxious to make direct contact with you, to affirm that life on another planet does exist. And remarkably, we notice that we have a lot in common.”
“After my speech, I was given a tour of the city of Janus. A large city that looked like and felt like most any medium-sized city in America. Perhaps I failed to mention it earlier: As I know of its prime importance to many people of faith, I saw no evidence of any type of deity worship on the planet. When I brought up the subject, all I got back in return, was puzzled, and confused looks. One can only assume from this discussion on faith, that the people of Zorbus accept the life they live at was all the life there is. Not expecting or preparing for any type of afterlife.”
“The other findings I have already discussed emphasize the people of Zorbus’s concern, mainly, of the rapid advancement in artificial intelligent (A-I) robots on planet Zorbus, adding an unexpected fear for their very future existence, and, perhaps, ours as there is nothing to stop them from using Zorbus as a launching pad as they go throughout our galaxy, reaping nothing but death and destruction.”
A rather large, menacing Army General from the state of Texas spoke up, adding “I told you all we should not be meddling around in all this business of searching our Galaxy, looking for intelligent life on another planet. Now, look what it has got us. A discovery of a planet probably getting ready to show hostility against us. That is all we need, another war with a group of tin-head, plastic warmongers stationed a zillion miles away. How in the hell are we going to work out the logistics on that one?”
From Senator Purdy, Senator from Rhode Island. A prominent figure in Congress, one you would not expect to use such strong language under any circumstances. But in this case, she thought it appropriate to do so: “General, shut your f…g mouth. Unless you have been living all these years with your head buried up your ass, or under a rock, it should come as no secret to you, this nation, for decades, has been searching around our solar system—a search of the cosmos to determine if there exists another planet capable of supporting intelligent life. In case you have forgotten, NASA has the Statutory Authority to look for life in the Universe. It seems, through the efforts of NASA, we have proven there is intelligent life beyond our shores.”
The Senator continues, “Now we know from our most recent search, that there is another planet sustaining intelligent life, confirmed by the findings of Astronaut Dawkins. This committee will discuss these findings brought to us by Professor Dawkins the same way this committee handles all issues brought before it.” “With dignity, intelligence, and calm resolution. Please! Let us show proper support to this brave young lady. Someone who has accomplished more in her short life than most of us could only dream about.”
Senator Lance Hastings from the state of Massachusetts, thinking: “This is as good time as any to impress upon all present what a historical moment this really is.”
“I think our committee may be missing the big picture here,” he spoke. “First, allow me to extend a warm, heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed Astronaut, Professor Dawkins on her magnificent, historical feat. I seriously doubt there is another human in the entire world capable of accomplishing what she did. No Russian, Chinese, or European Astronaut has the courage to do what she did. Think of it. If we can normalize our relationship with planet Zorbus, thanks to Astronaut Dawkins, we now know the name of our mysterious planet, Zorbus, and we can now look forward to the future. Perhaps someday, we can set up our own telescopic monitoring system on planet Zorbus. To monitor our Galaxy, the Milky Way as well as other planets and asteroids. Discovering celestial bodies no one knew existed.”
28
Uncertain Future
Motormouth Hastings continues, “We should plan for the day the United States has its own space station on planet Zorbus. Working in partnership with the Zorbus government and its people. Sending their astronauts along with ours to explore even deeper into outer space. Perhaps we, jointly, can learn secrets for living longer and healthier lives. Finally, all I am saying is this: we need to understand more and do more, now that we know we are not alone. We now know there exists, out there, another planet supporting intelligent human life. This is a historical moment in our life. Let us not waste it.” It could be easily assumed; that everyone present was thinking the same thing: When Will Senator Hastings ever shut up!
From Senator Craig Austin from the great state of New York: “O.K., I have been for the last forty minutes staring at the elephant in the room and must ask: How is it possible? Our United States Congress has allocated millions of dollars. Arming our astronomers with the best equipment available. Sending up countless satellites, including the Hubble telescope for years, to search out the universe. Hoping we will someday find intelligent life on another planet. But it took a planet about half the size of ours to send out a desperate cry for help before we even knew that such a planet existed. What happened, NASA?”
From a spokesperson representing NASA’s Astronomy department, “As a member of NASA we agree that it was embarrassing for our organization to learn of planet Zorbus’ existence. It should not have been that difficult to find. In fact, out of the millions of photos the Hubbell microscope has sent back over the years we now have a deeper understanding of our Galaxy, the Milky Way. In addition, in our search of the Hubbell photos sent to Earth, we found clear evidence there was something out there. Something that resembled an unidentified planet. Possibly, a planet that may or may not be capable of supporting life.”
“The way we understand it, and as explained by our department’s senior astronomers, planet Zorbus was in the shadow of planet Venus. However, the presence of huge dust storms, which can stretch into millions if not billions of miles, obscured all objects around it, including planet Zorbus, This, and the darkness surrounding planet Venus made it near impossible to identify anything that remotely resembled another planet. However, that is not a good excuse. We just simply screwed up!”
“One other thing, this too,” from Senator Austin: “Everyone present at this meeting, I am sure, is aware that skunks like Russia and China are not going to let us explore the resources of planet Zorbus as if it is our own pet project—a new planet discovery with exclusive rights granted exclusively to the United States. A discovery we currently do not intend to share with any other nation(s). Perhaps later, but not now as it is too early to fully understand what this discovery means. We certainly do not need another superpower like China or Russia meddling in our affairs currently or at any other time.” Later, when Allison makes her speech before the UN assembly, the United States will have changed its policy toward China and Russia, soliciting the aid of all members of the UN Security Council in helping planet Zorbus survive the attack by destructive A-I robots. They will discover later that was a mistake.
Austin continues, “We know they will slit our throats in a Minnesota minute to gain a foothold on this new discovery. That you can be assured. China and Russia are already salivating like dogs, with Russia thinking; ‘How soon can we send up our own astronaut to negotiate a trade deal, making claims on raw minerals and other valuables, not found on our planet.’ We also know China’s intent will always be to sabotage any plans we make with planet Zorbus. Hoping to gain their own early access to the planet.”
“It is, therefore, imperative that we, members of the United States Congress resolve this A-I robot debacle as quickly as possible. And be the first to obtain a written agreement from planet Zorbus, one that the international community will accept, protecting the mutual interest of both planets, planet Earth and planet Zorbus. After all, thanks to Commander Dawkins, we were the first to arrive, not Russia or China.”
All present at the meeting ascended to the mission ahead of them: resolve the A-I robotic threat to planet Zorbus. Giving Allison little time to prepare for her speech to members of the United States Congress scheduled in two days, adjourned. She needed to make a good impression given that this was the same Congress that must grant approval to the committee’s recommendations.
While NASA was busy working out details to send back photos of American scenes, careful not to include any military installations to planet Zorbus, the people around the world were celebrating planet ‘Zorbus’ day. In jubilation of the discovery of a new planet supporting intelligent life. The entire world was in a tizzy. Many trying to guess, the length of time it would take Richard Branson, a space explorer to produce a space shuttle, capable of transporting paying customers on a visit to planet Zorbus.
Just before members of the committee began their departure from the meeting, Allison noticed for the first time that a plate of cookies had been placed on the table which every member present seemed to be enjoying. Curious, she had to ask: “Where did the cookies come from?”
“From the cockpit of your missile, didn’t you know?”
Embarrassed, she responded: ”Oh! Those cookies. The ones that the Zorbus Council gave me on my departure as a going-away gift.” Allison made a mental note: someday, I must find a way to let my real mother, Gerta know how much her cookies were enjoyed by everyone.
