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[From White House tapes. RBB]
The president was so furious, one could actually imagine the smoke rising from his ears, nose and mouth.
‘Damn it all! Can you not get rid of that stain?’ asked the president.
‘No, sir. It’s the type of indelible dye used in bank vaults and security systems. It should fade in about a week,’ said General Alexander.
‘I tried covering mine with make-up yesterday, but it was still visible,’ said Matthew Brown.
‘Is it true that people are deliberately marking themselves with this green stuff to show support of the insurgency?’
‘Yes, Mr President,’ said Admiral Mann.
‘I want them punished. How can we do that?’
‘Sir, there are too many to punish and the numbers are growing,’ said the admiral.
‘Matthew, what do you recommend?’
‘Mr President, I still think you should hold a referendum. At the moment, I think we could win an anti-Fed vote, but if we leave this insurgency unchecked, it will become harder and harder to make our case. I can write some incredible speeches against the Federation right now, while news of the rest of the world capitulating to them continues.’
‘What if we lost?’
‘Do it now and it won’t happen.’
‘How can you be sure?’
‘Generals, Admiral, can you leave us for a moment?’ said Matthew.
The two generals and the admiral looked at the president. He nodded and they left, exiting through the secretary’s door and giving each other puzzled glances.
‘Well?’ asked the president as the door closed. ‘What can you not say in front of my most trusted military advisers?’
‘I can explain, Mr President,’ said Mr Brown. ‘Firstly, we’ll organise the debates and I will choose who speaks for each side. I’ll select someone who can put on a good show for the Federation, while failing to win arguments on many of the issues,’ said Matthew.
‘So, not Mayne then?’
‘Not a chance! We’ll not let any real Federation supporters near the debate. We will control every facet of the event. Secondly, we’ll have the vote quickly, so as to not give Mayne and his crew time to react.’
‘But what if we lost?’
‘If we lose, I will ensure we win.’
‘Eh? How?’
‘Mr President, you don’t want to know. Trust me.’
‘Are you sure? Fail me on this and... well, if you fail me you can imagine the consequences.’
‘Sir, I will not fail. You can trust me. I’ll deliver.’
‘Deirdre!’ shouted the president and her door opened. ‘Show the joint chiefs back in.’
««o»»
[From Brad Gregg’s and Jim Collins’ notes and recordings. RBB]
‘Damn it all,’ said Charles Mayne, thumping the table. ‘They have the ability to remove Slimbridge and his collaborators from office and allow a new election to take place, and what do they do? Nothing!’
‘If they’re giving Slimbridge the same information, what will he do, do you think?’ asked Bob Nixon.
General Beech cleared his throat and it stopped Jim Collins from starting his reply.
‘We need to get our White House and media sources to keep us informed. Brad, get on to Winston and tell him to listen for whispers,’ said the general.
‘There’s a presidential address tomorrow evening. That might give us a clue,’ said Brad.
‘Hmm,’ said the general, ‘if I were him, in his position, I’d be trying to make the country think that there is an almost forcible takeover going on in the rest of the world’
‘No, Dick,’ said Charles. ‘You see, he and I are politicians. From the political standpoint he is the leader of the free world and has terrorists fighting against him. While he has majority support, I’d call for a vote.’
‘Presidential election?’ asked Jim.
‘No. A vote on supporting the United States either remaining free or being taken over by the aliens!’ said Charles. ‘With the right approach, if done immediately, he could win. I think he’ll call a referendum.’
‘Not if we get the chance to put our side of the argument,’ said Bob.
‘And how will you do that?’ said Charles. ‘You think he’s going to allow a fair fight?’
‘Charles is right,’ said the general. ‘He’s going to call a referendum and, win or lose, he’ll win and there will be nothing we can do about it. I’d wager that is what the broadcast will announce.’
‘Clever bastard,’ said Bob.
‘As long as he remains predictable, we will always have a chance,’ said Charles.
‘We can’t spray him green on live television, can we?’ asked Jim.
‘Don’t think we can organise anything that sophisticated so quickly, but I’ll get one of our tech guys to look into it,’ said General Beech. ‘Where will the broadcast come from, Brad?’
‘Almost certainly the Oval Office.’
‘In that case we can’t do anything in the timescale. Sorry,’ said the general.
««o»»
[Broadcast video recording. RBB]
The sun had set, and the White House was bathed in twilight’s last gleaming.
President Slimbridge sat behind the famous Resolute desk in the Oval Office, smiling into the camera. He was into the last part of his presidential address, specially written by Matthew Brown. He considered that, so far, it was going down well with the nationwide audience, guaranteed by the government’s recent imposition of control over what was transmitted as news or documentaries.
‘In common with the rest of the world, we wish to ensure that you have the right to choose whether to remain independent or be absorbed and become part of the enormous Federation. As an independent nation, even if the whole of the rest of the world joined up, we would be able to carry on living the American way. Jobs will not be affected, and neither will our way of life. We will even be able to trade with the Federation so those of you in export industries will hardly notice a difference.
‘But I am not an expert on the Federation nor in presenting the differences between the two systems. For that reason, there will be two information broadcasts on the next two evenings. The first will be by the pro-Federation expert and supporter, David MacNamara and the second will be by the White House economist, Matthew Brown, who believes the Federation will bring nothing but harm to the nation and its people. I would encourage everyone to watch both of these broadcasts to get a balanced and unbiased view of the reason for the referendum.’
The president smiled confidently into the camera, laid a sheaf of papers on his desk, loosely clasped his hands, and finished, ‘The United States of America is a bastion of truth and freedom. Make your decision wisely. God bless you all, and God bless America!’
Superimposed flags were suddenly blowing in a gentle breeze behind the president and the rousing tones of the national anthem began to play. Gradually, the interior of the Oval Office and the president himself faded from view, leaving only the vista of the stars and stripes.
««o»»
[From Brad Gregg’s and Jim Collins’ notes and recordings. RBB]
Brad turned off the television as President Slimbridge faded into the American flag and the star spangled banner played the presidential address off screen.
‘Winston had it right then,’ said the general.
‘Who, exactly, is Winston?’ asked Jim.
‘General Winston Delve. He replaced General Braun, he’s one of us.’
‘Wow! I didn’t realise it was someone so close to the president,’ said Jim.
‘Who is this “MacNamara” that Slimbridge mentioned?’ asked Charles.
‘Winston says he’s just some anonymous stooge,’ said the general.
‘So, they’re going to distort the Federation message and only promote independence?’ asked Jim.
‘Sounds like it,’ said Charles. ‘Just as he said about wanting to be independent or be swallowed by the Federation. The message will be totally distorted in favour of independence.’
‘So, he could win the vote,’ said Jim.
‘Don’t be naïve, Jim! Of course they will win the referendum, even if they have fewer votes!’ said General Beech.
‘Can’t we do something?’ asked Bob.
‘What, exactly?’ said Beech. ‘I think we just carry on with our own plan. There’s a big dinner in Washington on Friday. We’ll be making a splash there and it’ll be green!’
««o»»
[Broadcast video recording. RBB]
David MacNamara, in casual, tan coloured chinos and open-neck, marmalade-check shirt, sat in one easy chair in the studio and the well-known political journalist, Tanya Shay was in the other, tablet in hand, as the programme began. The camera closed in on her. She looked immaculate and exceedingly professional in a smart, indigo pinstripe, business skirt-suit, legs crossed and wearing matching high heels. Her beautifully styled bronze coloured hair cascaded over her shoulders. She made MacNamara seem almost grubby.
She looked to the camera, ‘Good evening. It has been agreed that David MacNamara, a long-time supporter of the Federation, will represent the alien Federation point of view tonight, and Matthew Brown, the White House economist, will talk for the Independence movement tomorrow. Each will have a minute to give the bones of their cases and then they’ll be questioned by me.
‘So, David, why don’t you get the ball rolling...’
The camera closed in on Mr MacNamara, revealing a recent shaving wound in a clump of stubble. As he spoke, his yellowish, uneven teeth made the first impression.
‘Good evening, everybody.
‘The Federation is an empire of a quarter of a million worlds. All follow the same tight regime of rules and trading agreements. All businesses are run by the government so there is no competition between them. Also, they are all staffed and managed by robots. There is no place for human managers or workers. People live in apartments and homes in residential areas of the cities, with virtually nothing to do except relaxing or joining clubs and associations. So, a life of luxury for those who prefer not to have to work and live off the state. Mind you, there are plenty of handouts. The Federation is not miserly in its provision of money which people can spend however they wish – dining out, attending sports events and even for interstellar travel.
‘Strict gun laws prevent anyone owning or using a firearm and this does mean that Federation cities are very peaceful. Squads of robots, ranging in size from smaller than a fly to larger than people, keep the peace and anything deemed illegal by the Federation is easily policed. Anyone guilty of any crime then suffers the torture of being held in a vice-like stasis where they are forced to do something which they would otherwise find unpleasant. It does seem to work, as crime is almost non-existent.
‘So, if you like to have plenty of spare time, are not too ambitious financially, and are happy to be watched over by the police squads, the Federation is ideal. It has been described as being communism wrapped in velvet gloves, but if you don’t mind the regimentation, it is almost idyllic.’
‘And, thank you, David,’ said Tanya, looking at her watch and smiling. ‘Almost exactly a minute. Now, let me ask a few questions – firstly, you say that all businesses are run by the government – what would happen to someone on Earth who, say, has a successful plumbing business or farm, garage or craft shop?’
‘Well, Tanya, the Federation would allow them to continue to trade while automatons, robots, learned how to do their jobs. At that point the business owner would be retired.’
‘That seems most unfair to someone who has spent years building up their business.’
‘Well, not really, because the owner would receive their full earnings the next year and it is only after that they would find their income reducing to the same as everyone else. It could take five years.’
‘And their employees?’
‘It would be great for them. They would continue to get the same or better pay and would never have to work again. A retirement which lasts a lifetime.’
‘Yes, I suppose so, if you have no ambition. What about if you are an inventor and want to make money from your inventions or products?’
‘Well, again, the Federation helps by producing your invention or product for you and then selling it throughout the empire.’
‘So, you still become wealthy.’
‘Well, everyone earns the same, so everyone has enough to live. You don’t get anything special for your new idea or invention, but there is the satisfaction of knowing you have produced something which has improved the lives of everyone else.’
‘Doesn’t seem too good to me, David. You’re saying that Brian Goodge who made that incredible vegetable cleaner we all use, would no longer be a billionaire, but would be as broke as everyone else.’
‘The Federation does give bonuses for great inventions, but, Tanya, you are looking at it from the wrong perspective. The inventor becomes a celebrity for his or her good works. They don’t become rich, but they make the whole Federation a little richer for everyone.’
‘I understand what you’re saying, David, but it doesn’t seem very American. What else will the Federation do for us?’
‘War would end, starvation would end, disease would be reduced, intolerance would be stopped because discrimination is one of the crimes which would be punished by stasis. Tanya, imagine a world without war, without starving babies in Africa, and with most diseases wiped out.’
‘That does sound wonderful, David, but would we not all be paying the price of stagnation, unable to advance ourselves or become wealthy by using our ingenuity? What would happen to ambition?’
‘It is all rewarded by leisure time and the knowledge of everyone benefitting.’
‘But why would I bother inventing a new way to treat cancer or a new gadget to make life better, if I knew there was no reward for me personally at the end of it, David?’
‘You’d have the satisfaction of knowing it was for everyone.’
‘Sorry, David, but that doesn’t sound like much incentive for innovation. Surely the most inventive people should be paid more?’
‘But that is what, in the world today, causes the less able, or the underprivileged, or the less well educated to be stricken by poverty and to live in ghettoes or slums. The Federation is a world of sharing and giving and equality. The richer people, in intelligence, ability and skill should work not just for themselves but for all, Tanya.’
‘The rest of us are being selfish or greedy or uncaring, then?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you want to reduce everyone to the same level?’
‘No, not at all. The Federation wants to lift everyone up to the same level, by evening out the world’s wealth.’
‘Time is up, David. You’ve not convinced me. I’ve spent ten years working my way to the top of my profession. I am one of the highest paid journalists at DRC. I am not going to give all that away. I think I’ll trust the US government to be peacemaker and provider for the poor. It is not a duty I wish to bear. Now, you are allowed one or two sentences to sum up why the free people of the United States of America would wish to give away their wealth, freedom and happiness, to help those from God knows where, to never have to work for a living.’
‘Tanya, what you say is most unfair, but I would say to the people of America that the Federation offers an opportunity to see an end to war, famine, poverty, inequality and disease and that is why they should vote in favour of joining.’
‘Thank you, David MacNamara.’
««o»»
[From Paula Wilson’s files. RBB]
‘That was so, so biased,’ said Paula as the closing credits appeared after the first of the two presentations to the American people.
The video had arrived from Peter Stone who circulated it from Canada. It had only been broadcast in the USA and Peter had distributed copies he’d obtained via the black web.
‘It appeared so one-sided,’ said Lara. ‘Do you think the people will believe that was a genuine pro-Federation broadcast?’
‘I think they might, ma’am, people are so gullible these days. If the media tell them it is so, they’ll believe it. I guarantee the anti-Federation presentation will be far more effective. And did you look at the man. He looked scruffy, hadn’t properly shaved, there were long hairs sticking out of his right nostril and his teeth looked as if they hadn’t been cleaned for a month. Even his shirt collar was frayed.’
‘Yes, I noticed the collar and his teeth. Looks as if he was selected by Slimbridge.’
‘Didn’t take Slimbridge long to organise the referendum, did it, ma’am?’
‘No. I think he is aware he needs to move quickly before Free America can spring into action.’
‘Ha. Did you see the business about that Washington dinner?’
‘Yes, Paula. Plenty of green faces! Free America used the fire sprinkler system that time. Ingenious.’
‘Yes, brilliant, ma’am. They are so innovative. I liked that General Beech.’
‘Me too. It is such a shame the Federation can’t help them more. They must feel as if they’re fighting with one arm tied behind their backs.’
««o»»
[Broadcast video recording. RBB]
Matthew Brown looked incredibly smart in his charcoal grey suit with crisp creases and brogues in which you could probably see your face. His white shirt with slate stripes was complemented by an azure tie with small white motifs. The Windsor knot was flawless and the collar irreproachable. The only strange feature of his appearance was the fading green complexion.
Tanya Shay was once again immaculate, but this time in a garnet red suit and shoes, revealing even more of her legs than she had on the previous evening. The whole interview looked as if it was going to be a far more professional show than the previous night and that, of course, had been Matthew Brown’s intention.
‘Good evening, Matthew. I guess I need to ask why your face looks as if you’ve eaten some bad shellfish?’
‘Ha ha, yes. I was caught up in one of the terrorist events organised by the pro-Federation movement and it stained my face. Many came off worse than me.’ His face and voiced showed pain. ‘Some were killed or wounded. The terrorists were trying to assassinate our president and only the swift action of the FBI saved him from injury. These alien-loving fanatics claim they want a free America, when in fact they are working for the exact opposite – they want us to be ruled and perhaps enslaved by the aliens. Madness!’
‘Yes. Maybe we could come back to that. For now, you have a minute to explain why you want the United States of America to reject rule by the Federation.’
The camera closed in on Matthew Brown with his close-shaven skin, even, pearl white teeth and charming, natural smile. The greenness didn’t detract, it just added to the fact he was a patriot.
In a soft, friendly voice he said, ‘Fellow Americans, you are about to be asked to make the biggest decision you will ever make in your lives. Either you will support the America you love, remaining free and independent of foreign and alien interference, or you will vote to invite a communist regime to come in and take over our country.
‘It has often been said that communists will take over America without even having to fire a single shot. If you vote to support the aliens, you will be the method by which they achieve that objective!
‘The Federation wants to remove your right to continue to work for a living, to be promoted and to gain the rewards you deserve from your hard work and diligence. The Federation wants the lazy, good-for-nothing people who have never done a hard day’s work in their lives, to receive the same income as you! Why should they? Choose wisely or regret it forever.’
‘And, thank you, Matthew for that excellent introduction to your case for independence,’ said Tanya. ‘Now, let me ask a few questions – firstly, you say that everyone will earn the same, but isn’t this a good thing. Those less able or disadvantaged deserve the same rewards in life, surely?’
‘Yes, Tanya, and our country works towards that, ensuring there is always a fallback position for the disabled, the sick, the people who are intellectually challenged. But the way to do it is to create a wealthy country which is able to provide the resources for such welfare. If we shut off the way for people to make money, then we are also shutting off the source of the wealth to pay for Medicare and social welfare.’
‘I see your point, Matthew, but doesn’t the Federation offer the end to war, famine and poverty?’
‘Yes, it does, but the USA has been the largest influence for a peaceful world for over seventy years. We have always fought for the oppressed and sought to rid the world of tyrannical leaders like Hitler and Saddam Hussein. We did not do that only to replace them with a multi-tentacled, technicolour alien with delusions of grandeur! The United States is a wealthy country with incredible resources. We are well able to look after ourselves, feeding ourselves, caring for each other and, through the ingenuity which comes from being free and offering proper rewards for invention, we will continue to improve everything about America.’
‘The Federation is offering people the ability to travel to other worlds. That sounds very exciting,’ said Tanya.
‘Yes. It will be, but we will not be stopping that. We will actively encourage it. We do not need to join the Federation in order to take advantage of what it could offer us. The difference is that, if you vote for independence, we will still be able to trade with the Federation and there is still every opportunity for citizens to visit any of the Federation worlds.
‘I would also like to point out that they have designs on some of the rights within our constitution. Guns – I know it is always a contentious issue, but the Federation will take your guns away from you – everyone – they’ll remove our way to fight back when we realise we’ve made a dreadful mistake. An American way of life, the right to hunt for game, destroy pests and protect ourselves and our families will be gone. How many more rights will they take from us?’
‘You’ve sold it to me, Matthew, and we are now close to the end of the programme. Perhaps you’d like to give us a couple of words to sum up.’
‘Yes, Tanya. It is easy really. Americans love their country. It is not just the land, but the way of life. Rewards for the innovative and hard-working, yet a safety net for the unfortunate and disadvantaged. The United States has a tradition of being the land of the free. For goodness sake, that freedom is under attack! Don’t allow alien forces to take over our freedom. It is like a bad science fiction film. We really must stop it! Vote for independence tomorrow!’
‘Thank you, Malcolm,’ said Tanya and the audience, strangely absent the previous night, burst into applause and chants of USA, USA!
Tanya had to wait nearly three minutes for the chanting to die down, then she said, ‘As Malcolm said, voting takes place tomorrow, so be sure to get out of your home and vote. This is your opportunity to secure the country’s future. Don’t miss it. Polling stations will open at seven am local time.’
The screen faded and the credits rolled upwards.