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[From my own notes, images and recordings. A serious dilemma was developing. RBB]
The USA was certainly a beautiful country.
Eventually, I found a bank which was prepared to spend some time getting me access to my bank account. They charged me a ridiculous rate for dollars, but at least I now had some money to spend on travel and accommodation. I made my way west from El Paso.
It seems I was a rare beast, an alien wandering the highways and byways of a country which had chosen not to join the Federation. I met no other aliens in my travels. When I arrived in the state of California, there was not a little unrest about the government.
The Free America movement faded from the news but, in California, the population was beginning to learn more about the potential benefits of Federation membership. Tourists were entering the state and speaking of their new lives, of not having to work, free health care, fantastic education, and opportunities to visit other worlds. It was far too soon for much of this “information” to be the actual experiences of the tourists. More likely it was the rumour mill. It meant that I was forever being quizzed about life in the Federation. Some hung on every word, but others were deeply suspicious of everything I said.
I needed to get out of the USA to see how the rest of the planet was coping with membership transition. The early period of transition would be a vital part of my study. As far as I was aware, papers on transitioning had always been produced by government officials. What about the effects upon and actions of ordinary citizens? It needed documenting. I needed to leave now.
I soon learned that there is nothing like Californians for becoming jealous of someone having a better lifestyle. I’d discovered that California had been one of, if not the most desirable location to live for over half a century. All of a sudden, everywhere else in the world was competing for quality of life in the imagination of Californians, if not yet in reality.
Governor Arnold Pattison was outspoken towards the federal government about missed opportunities but President Slimbridge was soon on his case and there was news that the dozens of military bases in the state had received orders to prepare for action. The president was not going to tolerate insurrection on a state-wide basis.
In my hotel room I watched the tension build as the rhetoric between Pattison and Slimbridge became increasingly bitter.
Then a huge surprise – on the 20th June, the morning I was planning to head for Los Angeles airport, Governor Pattison made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence and gave notice that California was breaking away from the United States of America and was planning to join the Federation.
With the work I’d already done researching Earth from my base at Dinbelay University, together with what I’d learned during my brief time in the USA, I saw a fascinating opportunity to now study insurrection on a massive scale, but if I did so, I’d miss the opportunity to study transition in the rest of the world.
I wished I knew more about the interstate structure. Would other states assist California? Would Slimbridge’s forces just crush the rebellion? Many Americans owned weapons – some of them military grade. Would they spring to the defence of UDI? Would those from neighbouring states enter an armed revolt on one side or the other?
As far as I was aware, nothing like this had ever occurred in the Federation’s history. My need to visit other areas of the world for comparison grew in importance. If I delayed in order to follow events in California, I would miss recording the everyday changes in the lives of people in the rest of the world. Which was most important? Should I stay or leave?
With tanks approaching the eastern borders of the state, I would have to make sure that I didn’t become a victim of Pattison’s declaration. Many called him crazy. Was there even a majority in favour of UDI? Increasingly, a violent conclusion was becoming most likely. Violence challenged all of my personal principles, but I’d become as much a pawn in events as the ordinary Californians.
Pattison was betting that the Federation would support his UDI initiative and the Californian military bases would swing in behind him. Slimbridge was banking on the Federation doing nothing because they’d agreed to leave the USA alone.
Something would have to give! I needed to get out. I packed my bag and headed for Los Angeles airport.
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