00097

The word spread quickly about the wild herd attack, and just as quickly that Gov. Xavier Bright planned a statement that evening addressing the matter, and how to deal with it. His publicists made clear it was to be a very important announcement, and advised every citizen to watch.

Gov. Bright gave his statement from the front lawn of the Governor's House. All three stations from the World of Hope carried the event live, of course, and several news reporters from Earth covered it as well. Everybody was curious about it. Some watched it on their own home screens, others invited their neighbors who could not afford a screens to come over and watch with them. And still others watched in coffee shops or bars or on public screens. But almost all the citizens watched.

Security Agents stood among the group of reporters on the Governor's lawn, along with Sheila Bright and Osmo Martin, in his civilian clothes. Gov. Bright stood before a portable display screen set up on the grass. By his side, once more, Security Leader Mita Morgan wore a blank, poker face. As usual, she wore her Security Leader uniform. Osmo wondered, Does Mita sleep in that uniform, too?”

On the display screen looped several scenes of the Security Agents chasing the tiny buffalo, culled from the cameras of several tourists who kept their cameras running and recording during the event of the herd attack- they had originally been taping Mrs. Rubble's lecture, and then caught the ensuing chaos that had interrupted her presentation.

Gov. Bright spoke to the reporters and their broadcasting equipment and to his mass audience all over Sparkle City. "I know you have all heard how, this morning, the Hope Memorial Park had been overrun with a pack of mini-buffalo. Thankfully, the injuries to the tourists were minimal. Unfortunately, however, today's emergency simply illustrates a difficult problem that Sec. Ldr. Morgan has been following since even the time before I appointed her Security Leader. We knew the problem had potential to become a crisis, and now, our concerns are shown to be justified."

To make his point, the Governor stepped to the side, giving an unobstructed view of the screen in back of him with the continual play showing the attacking creatures and the frantic tourists. The volume remained low, but the screams and gasps could still be heard as the buffalo charged the tourists, their furry heads down, the tiny sharp points of their horns aimed at the tourists' ankles. Mixed with these shots were choppy segments displaying the Security Agents chasing the buffalo about, and there were two brief clips showing Osmo Martin and Sheila Bright and Dr. Veg Horle chasing away the bison.

Gov. Bright resumed his place in front of the screen, taking the main focus again of the news cameras. "What happened today might be only one of many such events in the near future. We have reports of outlaws and renegades from Earth hiding outside the city limits, in the wild dessert beyond us. As we all now know, our former Security Leader allowed wanted criminals to slip through the fingers of the authorities. No doubt money exchanged hands, and so he turned a blind eye to the situation. This made it possible for the felons to make homes in the unpatrolled wilderness, and to meet up with and team up with others of like-minded criminal dispositions. From their hide-outs in the wilds, now, bands of raiders can come, stealing from some of our government storage units and warehouses, as well as from our farms. Many of those are criminals from Earth, escaping justice. Naturally, the outlaws are not above attacking their fellow Earthers- We all heard of tourists from Earth on our fine planet who were robbed on their way to one of our many fine resorts outside of Sparkle City, robbed by the gangsters from their own world, Earth. I guess the travel warnings Earth issued were right, but we are will soon master the problem.”

Gov. Bright's face became gravely sober. "It is time for all of us to face facts, Citizens of the World of Hope. Within our own city streets, crime and corruption are on the rise. This is why I lost patience with the former Security Leader. When he realized I would no longer make allowances, despite our friendship of many years, for his, ahem, shall we kindly only say laxity, and not use the word graft or other similar words to describe him, then Sec. Ldr. Clyden- Well, no sense in rehashing how he tried to do me harm, because he knew I meant to stop him in his tracks from ruining our law and order and our reason for our pride in our World of Hope."

Gov. Bright paused, letting his words sink in. Then, "His old way of doing things has come to an end. The tide of decadence he let swell and flood over our fair city must be stopped, no, must be turned back. We must save our city, our world. I think our new Security Leader can do just that. And we will need your help and co-operation as well, Citizens of Hope, if we are to preserve that which we value. Sec. Ldr. Morgan has some ideas, good ideas and plans, on just how to do that. Suggestions to which I give my whole-hearted approval. Now I shall let Sec. Ldr. Morgan tell you those ideas herself."

Gov. Bright stepped back, and Sec. Ldr. Morgan took over. She said:

"People of Sparkle City, Citizens of the World of Hope, we are forming a new group to help monitor and preserve the peace. The captains of this group shall report directly to me. This group shall be composed of willing civilian volunteers, those who love our way of life and want to protect it. The name of the organization is the Civilian Defense Group. The CDG. CDG centers will be set up at diverse places throughout our entire city, distributed to enough spots so that no locality does not have a CDG center within easy walking distance. Because of that, all citizens will be able to report to the CDG any problems which concern the public health and society's welfare, whether safety hazards which might create disasters, or whether the neighborhood crime hotspot, or whether some scofflaw who does not respect our fine city's rules and regulations. Whatever concerns the people of the World of Hope. From there, the CDG will investigate and take the actions necessary to deal with the situations, as each problem presents itself. Our focus will be on the good of Sparkle City and the World of Hope."

Mita Morgan pressed the remote for the display screen behind her, and the loop showing the buffalo trouble stopped. In its place, the screen displayed two computer-generated youths, a young man and a young woman, each dressed in brown outfits similar to the Security Agent uniforms. Sec. Ldr. Mita Morgan stepped out of the way so they all could see.

"This is how you will recognize a member of the Civilian Defense Group. This is the official uniform of the CDG. Anyone in good physical condition and able can join the CDG and is welcome to apply. In fact, if you meet those qualifications, you are encouraged to join. After a week or two of crash course training, the volunteer shall be ready for duty, complementing the duties and work of the Security Agency.”

As did her superior before her during his speech, she also paused, allowing the public and the news representatives to assimilate the speech.

"How many of you like litter? None? Well, then, if you see someone who is a litterbug, soon you will be able to report whoever is dirtying or defacing our beloved Sparkle City to the CDG. Remember how the posters of Gov Bright had been defaced by that illegal fanatical movement? Now that the posters have been replaced, we say, No more. No more vandalism! When you see something like that, all you will need to do is, walk to a nearby CDG center. You can even call, if you have access to a phone, but, as we all know, telecommunications are, at best, problematic on this planet. Vandalism, unapproved wall posters, if something causes offense to our city- you now have an easy way to report it anonymously."

She brought up a new scene on the screen, which exhibited a civilian walking into a building with a sign above the door in huge letters identifying the place as a “CDG Center”. The camera followed the man as he headed toward a big desk and spoke with a CDG Captain on duty at the desk. The man could be heard to complain of a problem down the street where he lived, drugged people loitered outside their homes. The Captain nodded and assured him the CDG “will take care of it, Sir!”

The Security Leader smiled with satisfaction, observing everybody’s attention. "From now on, criminals cannot carry on and think they will not be punished."

Next, the computer-generated scene showed a scruffy looking, shifty-eyed man in handcuffs, being pushed into a Security Agency van.

"Beware, you who wish to break the law, if you dare!"

Mita Morgan went back to standing in front of the screen, which returned to the shots taken of the buffalo attack. “Once the CDG is in operation, the CDG and the Security Agents shall take day hikes through the surrounding wilderness bordering Sparkle City, keeping the wild animals in check whenever we run across them. The CDG shall patrol inside the city, also, along with the Security Agents, thereby extending the long arm of the law because, contrary to public belief, the Security Agents cannot be at all places at all times."

Again smiling, Sec. Ldr. Morgan assured the listeners, far and near, "My idea will work. It can't go wrong. You, citizens, will make it work, because you will volunteer your help and services. If you are a youth between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four and you are enrolled in college, then, to be able to continue your studies, you must volunteer. If you are young and employed, if you want to stay at your job, you will need to volunteer. In short, if you are young, eating, and breathing, you must volunteer. You cannot just take from society. Now you have the opportunity to return something to society. I know you will be glad for the chance to pay back the world which has nurtured you. And therein lies our success. The numbers alone will guarantee against failure. Couple those numbers with the loyalty and love we all have for Sparkle City and for the World of Hope, and now you know we can do nothing else but succeed!"

Almost all the attendants at the announcement meeting gasped. Someone blurted out, "But that's a draft!" The microphones picked it up, and all across Sparkle City- in private homes, in public squares, in the college rec hall, in night clubs- the word was repeated with stunned amazement.

Some of the listening youths complained. "How can it be voluntary if there's no choice?" "How can she say we will serve, just like that, with no discussion or legislation?" "Ssh, don't say too much, you know what could happen to you!"

Sec. Ldr. Morgan went on. "Do not worry about your college or work schedules conflicting with your training and duty times, which will be twenty hours a week. I can assure you, there will be no conflict. Your professors and your employers will be more than happy to work with you on your schedules, so that you lose nothing while you serve your community. In advance, I thank you all for volunteering and serving."

Osmo Martin and Sheila Bright exchanged surprised looks as they stood there with the newsfolk on the front lawn. Is this the change Mita had talked about earlier in the day?

Gov. Bright once more stood with Mita Morgan. He said, "Sec. Ldr. Morgan, allow me to clarify one point, if I may. I would like to say, If you are already a Security Agent, serving us, naturally you are exempt from volunteering."

Sec. Ldr. Morgan nodded. "Yes, Sir, that is a very important point, since the Agents already are serving.”

The Governor smiled. Then, he faced the cameras and said, "At first, all this volunteering may seem hard for some of you to accept. However, once you think through the matter, you will readily agree, it is the best way to deal with some of the growing problems on our world. And, just for the record- Not that anyone has asked me yet, and not that I have to explain myself to you in every matter- but when Sec. Ldr. Morgan says all youths within the age groups between sixteen and twenty-four must volunteer, she really does mean ALL. Even my own niece, Sheila Bright, will be volunteering- tomorrow, in fact. And she will be happy to do it, I might add. That is all I have to say, for now. No questions, please, at this time."

Sheila frowned. She whispered to Osmo Martin, "Of course I will volunteer tomorrow, but how does Uncle Xavier know I will be happy about it? You and I had plans to make up for our ruined outing that the buffalo spoiled! Uncle should have given me notice, so I could arrange a more convenient time for volunteering!”

“Another date on hold. Osmo Martin sighed. "Lately, it's getting harder and harder for us to get together for some decent time with each other. Just you and me."

The news agents rushed off, some to file their commentaries, others to repeat and elaborate on the news and its ramifications. The Hope reporters, of course, would laud this news and give hearty approval and write praising articles upon the subject, but they had to hurry and write their pieces and get it done, to get the approval from the Hope News Board in time for inclusion in the next edition. Some of the news people moved further down the lawn and did live fact-reporting right there on the spot. Unlike commentaries or reports after the fact, the needed approval for live fact-reporting was more flexible and the approval often assumed already from the News Board. However, with more assumed approval came greater responsibility to not add to the facts in a way which the Hope News Board would deem anti-Hope propaganda. Everybody knew his and her limits.

Gov. Bright and Sec. Ldr. Morgan moved out of range of the cameras and the microphones. The two conversed in low voices, until Sheila Bright came over, bringing Osmo Martin along, and joined them.

"What's this all about, Uncle Xavier? Why are you forming this Civilian Defense Group, and why are you drafting all the young people into it?"

Gov. Bright said to Mita Morgan, "If you will excuse us, please-“

Mita Morgan took the hint and courteously left, allowing him to be alone with Sheila and Osmo.

“Uncle, just what is this all about? It doesn't make sense."

He put his arm around her shoulder. "My dear niece, let me just say, I think the next few weeks shall be very challenging to us who live on the World of Hope. I want us to be ready."

"Ready for what, Uncle? A herd of wild buffalo? Some band of outlaws in the dessert? Isn't this a bit too much?"

He patted her shoulder affectionately. "Sheila, you may not understand this draft, and some of the things Sec. Ldr. Morgan says and does may concern you, but I believe it is necessary. It really is for the good of the World of Hope. Soon, you will realize it, too, and then I won't need to explain anything to you."

Xavier Bright nodded a silent acknowledgement of his presence to Osmo Martin, and then the Governor walked away. Two news reporters saw him now alone and tried to get answers from him, but he only smiled cordially and went into the mansion, closing the door on the reporters and their questions.

Perplexed, Sheila Bright turned to Osmo. "I don't get it. What's your take on this?"

Osmo Martin shrugged. “It's almost as if Gov. Bright and Mita are preparing for a war."

This confused Sheila more yet. "But, with who?!"

Inside the Governor's House, Mita Morgan awaited Gov. Bright in his outer office. Mrs. Kline was gone for the day. Mita reported, "The blizzard has not let up."

Gov. Bright grumbled, "How I wish I could get to the R and D Lab and see what they have developed for me. I am sure there are new things there which would benefit us greatly, and which we could manufacture in large quantities, while there is still time to manufacture them! Before the time comes, which I know is coming!"

"How much time do you think is left before it starts, Gov. Bright?"

"Not nearly as much as I would like."

(c) drk 2012