00085

Gov. Xavier Bright glared at Earth Leader Bigges' face on the screen. Irritated that Gov. Bright offered no response, Leader Bigges said, "I'm waiting for an answer. How do you explain that video we just saw on our screen here on Earth?"

Speaking in a condescending tone, as if to let Leader Bigges know that he thought maybe Bigges was stupid, Gov. Bright replied, "Obviously it's a fake, a lie. Mr. Clyden's last stab at me, no doubt set to transmit if he did not succeed in his coup attempt. Otherwise, he was to have then put a stop to the lying transmission, obviously. Did you take it as the truth?"

Arthur Bigges answered, "Let's just say, I found it very interesting. Who is No. 317? And what else was Mr. Clyden about to say?"

The Governor of the World of Hope shrugged. "Now that my Communications Team has managed to stop his unauthorized sending, the message seems to have had a built-in self-destruct. We may never know all the deception lurking in Tretl Clyden's evil mind or his lying message."

Ldr. Bigges rubbed his chin, listening. He asked, "And what was that about the Research and Development Lab? All those dead staff shown on the video? Is it all a hoax, or has something actually happened to them?”

“A question I, too, want answered. They failed to update their report to me this past week, and I am unable to contact them from Sparkle City. I suspect Clyden somehow managed to block anyone from being able to contact them remotely."

"So, you think maybe Mr. Clyden killed them all?"

"Probably."

"But why? What possible reason would he have, to decide on his own to do something like that?" Bigges voice carried with it a subtle accusatory tone, an unspoken insinuation that perhaps Xavier Bright also was involved in the matter, and that the Governor covered it up.

"Who knows?” the Governor said. “Does a thug like Clyden need a reason to destroy?"

"You should know better than I, Gov. Bright. After all, he had worked for you for many, many years."

Xavier Bright gave Ldr. Bigges the evil eye. "Arthur- Leader Bigges, exactly what are you beating around the bush about?”

Ldr. Bigges began, "I find it strange, that Security Leader Clyden-"

"Former Security Leader Clyden," Gov. Xavier Bright corrected.

"-former Security Leader Clyden killed the entire staff at R and D on an impulse. Coincidentally, also, the reports from R and D have stopped coming to us on Earth, as well. Why is that? Just what goes on at the Lab, anyway?"

"Many things," Gov. Bright said, "at least until Clyden seemingly killed them all. However, I cannot discuss the R and D secrets with you over the screen and assume it is a secure connection- not after what Clyden had done with this communication channel when he had his lying message sent out over it."

"Okay, I can see your point," agreed Ldr. Bigges. "Things would have been better all around, had you granted Mr. McCleer's request to see the R and D Lab. He told us you were not obliging."

While Xavier Bright put on a forced smile, his eyes blasted Bigges for his interrogating him. "As you very well know, Ldr. Bigges, Mr. George McCleer lacked the proper clearance. I cannot let anyone who wants a tour of R and D to simply go there and sightsee. I'm sure you agree with my reasonable decision."

The Earth Leader waved a hand, as if pushing that matter aside with his hand. "Well, anyway, that's all in the past. Okay, let me ask, point-blank-"

"It is what I have already asked you to do," the Governor reminded.

Bigges wanted to know, "Okay, what exactly are- or were- you working on at the R and D Lab?”

“Surely, you saw my encrypted reports."

"Yes, I did. What I want to know, though, were there some ongoing secret projects, which you haven't cleared with Earth?"

The Governor of Hope smiled again, once more with an air of condescension, as though he taught a small schoolboy. "Again, let me repeat, I cannot discuss R and D projects over this compromised connection. Besides, how can I know for sure everything going on there at the facility? I am sure the Earth Council has also given the R and D team projects to do, of which I have not been informed. Now, I think I've been more than accommodating to you and your questions, so, if you'll excuse me, I have a small planet to run-"

The face of Ldr. Bigges onscreen set itself hard like flint. "I see. You seem to... not be so forthcoming with Earth these days. Maybe the stress of the job is taking its toll, or you are afraid of making a misstep, and being reprimanded, maybe even... replaced. Perhaps this job has just become too much for one man to do, or, at least, for you, Gov. Bright, to do. Have you ever considered retiring?”

“Never. Is that what this is about? Because, I know I am the best man to run the World of Hope. And the Council of Earth Leaders knows it, too. This world needs my leadership and, quite frankly, cannot get by without me."

Ldr. Bigges gaped at Xavier Bright’s extreme self-esteem. "Gov. Bright, I assure you, all of us are expendable. Everyone's time comes to an end, and there are always people who can step in and replace us. We on Earth prefer you leave and give someone else a chance to take Hope in a different direction, a better direction. Lately, we on the Council have been discussing whether you are fit to carry on. I know you censor the news, yet still, with the news we do get, we can see you are losing control of things on the World of Hope. I- We want you to resign your post."

As cold as a glacier, Gov. Xavier Bright answered, "No, that won't happen. Remember, I am the one who made this world what it is today. To resign would be to betray the citizens of Hope. Perhaps the Council should take its own advice. I need a Council that will not always be trying to hold me back from operating the World of Hope at its most efficient level. And, perhaps with new members on your Policy Steering Committee, I might even get all the supplies we need sent here."

Earth Ldr. Bigges snickered. "Oh, you can't betray your beloved citizens by resigning... For crying out loud, the citizens keep disappearing and, according to what we hear on Earth, they become miners! Why? Their only crime is to disagree with the way you run things! If that isn't a betrayal already, I don't know what is!"

Xavier Bright leaned close to the screen, so on Earth Leader Bigges got a closeup view. "Don't believe every gossip item you hear. As far as I know, every miner has a criminal record and belongs there. If that is not so, prove it. And, if you can, then blame Clyden. He, unfortunately, has done much mischief behind my back. If there are any miners there who do not belong there, we will never know, for Clyden may have confounded the records. I do, however, know of one miner who does belong there- Tretl Clyden. Ask Security Agent Osmo Martin. He can verify my story. He even helped capture Clyden when the thug attempted to forcefully remove me and take my place."

"Okay," said Ldr. Bigges, nodding. "I think I will ask him. It might clear up some details. Is Osmo Martin there now, so I can speak with him?"

Suddenly, but not unexpectedly, Gunther Martin's face also popped onto the screen. "Yes, is Osmo there? I, too, wish to talk with him."

Gov. Xavier Bright nodded a greeting to the senior Martin. "I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up, Mr. Martin. As it is, Osmo is unavailable."

Gunther Martin politely asked, "Can you get him for me, er, for us, or make a conference call on his Security Agent cell-comm units?"

Xavier Bright shook his head. "No, I cannot do that."

"But I haven't talked to the boy in over two weeks, and-"

"Mr. Martin, I will be happy to pass on any message you may have for him," Gov. Bright promised, "but you must understand, he is a young man now. You cannot expect to watch over him like a hawk- And, lets face it, the time is past for that, keeping watch over him, anyway. Ask Ldr. Bigges about it, and remember the fire at the Leader's house. I do not wish to insult you with parenting insights, but the truth is, Osmo must go his own path. You cannot hold him so tightly in your hand anymore while simultaneously letting him run wild, and then force him to go the way you desire."

Gunther Martin's face reddened a trifle, but he kept his voice even and unexcited. "What are you talking about? Yes, maybe Osmo was a bit rambunctious at times. That proves, in fact, that I never did hold him very tightly in my hand, telling him what to do. However, there are things I need to speak with him about. Now. If he is at hand, I would appreciate you telling him to come talk with me."

"No, Mr. Martin. I will not, not at this time. He is on discipline-duty for messing up a very simple job recently. It is not wise if you try to bail him out of his mess again."

"What? How dare you-" Now, Gunther Martin raised his voice, and his face got redder.

This time, surprisingly, Leader Bigges turned out to be the diplomatic one. He interrupted Gunther Martin’s outburst. The Earth Leader told the Governor, "You know, if you were more co-operative, we might also be, too, and we might be more willing to send those supplies you request and claim to need so badly, and we might do it without even an assessment of whether they are truly needed in the first place."

"Oh, I am sure," Xavier Bright scoffed. "Lots of promises, but very little delivery. I've given up expecting much from you fine folk on Earth. We will get by with what we have here on the World of Hope. If there is nothing else, I guess we are finished for today. I have duties to perform, so-"

Gunther Martin interrupted. "But my son-”

“Don't worry for him," said Xavier Bright. "He is fine. I have him right where I want him to be. You have my guarantee, I will make it a point to keep my eye on him and protect him, for your sake, and as a way to thank you for all the kindness you and the Steering Committee on Earth have shown to me and to the people of Hope. Over and out."

"But wait, I just want to see how my son is do-"

Gov. Xavier Bright ignored his pleas and terminated the transmission. The screen went blank.

(c) drk 2012