They could easily communicate without contact but it was not Their way.
Many questions had been raised about quarantine and the possibility of some alien disease, but They were finally answered with the irrefutable logic that allowed the world's leaders to all be present with each other and with Him at the same time; 'If They wished to harm us, or allow harm to come to us, there would be little we could do to stop Them.' And so the premiers, presidents, prime ministers, kings, princes, dictators, chairmen and rulers came, from every country in the world to that site. As He had ordained.
No weapons were detected in the hall as the worlds highest dignitaries gathered as children for school. All had asked but no communication mentioned how He would arrive. They divulged nothing and only asked for coordinates to accommodate His attendance. Julia needed no such information. She knew exactly where she was going.
She had arrived at the press lounge at almost exactly the time that had been dictated by the organizers. For security reasons only sizeable countries had been allowed to send any reporters at all. Still, there were over one hundred and fifty media representatives present. A buffet fed them, but no alcoholic beverages were to be found, for no disruptions of any description could be tolerated this evening. So, with sparkling water in hand she waited to be assigned her position. An hour or so later the reporters were broken up into groups and taken to their vantage points for the proceedings.
The reporters now took the place of businessmen who usually paid tens of thousands of dollars to watch sporting events from private boxes high above the playing field. The view was magnificent. Julia marvelled at, and diligently noted, the speed with which the arrangements had been made. True, rock concerts were constructed with a militaristic speed, but as she looked below she saw the effect of using true military might for constructive purposes. Where only hours before an empty playing field existed, a reconstruction of what appeared to be the interior of the United Nations building now stood.
In the centre of the floor that was usually a playing field, the guests were to be seated in curved rows fifty wide and seven deep. Before them a low stage had been erected. Not knowing whether the visitor would stand or sit, the organizers had provided a stool for Him to rest on, with a chair nearby, if required. It seemed like a minor consideration, but what would be the effect of earth's gravity compared to that which the visitor was used to?
Guards from every attending country stood in strategic positions throughout the arena. None were armed.
Another army, this time of translators, sat in booths behind the main seating area. No one knew how the aliens intended to present Their hearing, or speech. The assumption was that the universal transmissions and translations that had taken place earlier would continue for this occasion, but nothing could be left to chance.
The seating plan was of great international importance and had been poured over to take into account political leanings so as not to initiate argument itself. As if to graphically illustrate the divisions in the world of politics the leaders of the Earth could be found talking in various sized, politically diverse, and in some cases, obviously adversarial groups, about the event to come, hesitant to sit until required to do so.
Some called for peace and others readied for war, but the majority was cautious in their analysis of the situation.
With no desire to have some of the most important people in the world come to physical blows the meeting was soon called to order and seats taken.
Now, as the time neared the President of the United States took his position on the podium and addressed the world.
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2000.01.04 10:58:27 G.M.T. 5:58:27 E.S.T.
c32 Confirmation
"I have been asked by our visitors to be the Earth's spokesperson. It is in that capacity that I speak to you now. Three days ago, we had what we believed was humankind's first contact with an alien species. Their representative tells us that this is not the case. He stated that one of Their kind was the person we know as Jesus Christ, the son of God. However improbable this may sound, and however insulted you might be by this notion, I urge you to assess this situation logically. Your faith is your own. It may be shared by millions of others, yet it remains for you to keep it safe. We have been told that we are to be judged. If this is some cosmic game, then I hope that we are lucky. If it is in earnest, then, I believe we need no luck. For all the atrocities that mankind sees fit to inflict on each other, it is not the way of the majority. I believe that most humans are kind, and that we are more than animals in God's eyes. I believe that we deserve a chance.
I am saying this to Them, just as surely as I am saying it to you, for They are watching now, and soon one of Them will be among us.
So let me now address the issue of the religious 'newsreel' we have been forced to view. I cannot comment on how this information has affected each of us, since we are of many faiths and degrees of faith. I can only give you my opinion, as one man. I cannot pretend that in this view I represent the world or even my country, for I do not know if that is true.
I?"
The president was stopped by the reaction of the audience before him to that which was occurring behind him. He looked over one shoulder and then the other. Then he saw.
A ring of luminescence had appeared behind and slightly to the right of the president. It looked similar to a circular neon bulb, but evidently had a far more complex function.
It was, perhaps, 70cm in diameter and hovered for a moment, almost touching the floor, before moving, giving the impression, as it rose, of unveiling a man. A feat that a magician would have worked many hours trying to achieve.
It took, at the most, six or seven seconds to reveal the figure completely. As it had climbed it had loosely followed the contours of His body, so that now, hovering just above His head it had a diameter of, perhaps, 25cm. It remained for a second or two more and then vanished, leaving the visitor behind.
The effect was obvious, and startling.
"My God, was that a halo?" were the words heard to be uttered by the Prime Minister of England.
Many other such exclamations were lost in the hushed tones of the startled delegates' mutterings.
By this time the president had recomposed himself, and upon making eye contact with the alien did his best to introduce Him. With no prior knowledge of extraterrestrial protocol, the president could rely only on his previous experience.
"Ah?I would like to introduce our visitor, our friend from so far away, Commander Gisseen..."
The president turned to the alien and started to clap. Following his lead the audience applauded. They knew no other way.
The president then moved from the podium and held out a hand to the visitor. The visitor, without hesitation politely, and with perfect timing, shook the hand of the president. As He did so, the president held His arm with his other hand in a politically ingrained greeting. Another moment and he had exchanged places with Him. During the greeting the president had been grinning. The visitor's expression remained stoical. It had not changed to any noticeable degree since He first appeared on the television broadcasts.
He stood in a relaxed manner. His fingers were now intertwined as his arms rested against his body. He used no gestures as he began to speak.
"First of all I would like to thank you all for attending. It has made our work so much easier, and so much more effective.
I believe that many humans are unhappy with us for interfering?meteors notwithstanding. It is true that we do not maintain what your fiction has called a 'prime directive' in this regard. Yes, we interfere. For what we know to be to your benefit.
To insure that your species has a reasonable chance of survival, humankind has been placed on what might be called 'an accelerated evolutionary development program', but we could not let you go too fast. We have returned as promised two millennia ago. We return now in judgment of our work, and of your true potential.
2000 years ago we l
eft you a representative. Some of your ancestors felt he was a threat. He was not. But still they condemned him - and eventually crucified him.
You called him Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was meant to be that way.
You were still far too barbaric to be entrusted with technological advancements beyond your emotion; so instead, we advanced your religion.
We know that what you have witnessed regarding His crucifixion has been a shock to you, but it is not our intention to incite you to shun your faith; your faith in an original Creator may be well founded - or not. It is not for us to say.
The things we did, we did for you. Certain aspects of your society in the age of Christ were admirable. There were great philosophers, many even in history then. There were sculptors, artists, architects and artisans who created art works and structures of incredible, universal aesthetic beauty. But there was an overriding barbarism. Human's sadistic tendencies were not receding. Indeed, they were being acclaimed in a cultural degeneration that was terrible to witness.
You needed a catalyst. We gave you a man who unified many of your world's religious beliefs. By reforming your religions we accelerated your potential for peaceful 'humanitarian' development. Not as much as we would have liked, for His word had not spread as far and as completely as we had wished before you struck Him down. So still there are many religions that differ only in detail, and over these details you have continued to fight. So many of your wars over so many aeons have been fought in the name of religion itself - which is the most hypocritical and 'inhuman' course of action you could take. And it disgusts us.
Still, you are better off for knowing Christ, of that there is little doubt.
Let us assure you now that we do not pretend to know God. In all our time we have not proved or disproved His existence. Your beliefs we leave to you. We never changed your original concepts; we merely consolidated and gave focus to them. We do not offer religion now. Within your religious enlightenment you have progressed as far as your current ability to follow your religious doctrines allows. It is not far enough, but the time is never perfect. What we offer now is an age of technological enlightenment that can coexist with your spiritual ideals."
Julia's mouth was dry, for attentive as she was, her thoughts raced in another direction. This Being appeared to be doing humanity a magnificent service. Had Geremy attempted to thwart the efforts of the religious zealots, or had he given his devotion to them? "Oh Geremy, do the right thing. Please." She closed her eyes and furrowed her brow, almost as if she believed that enough concentration would generate some sort of telepathy. The speech continued.
"We know that there will be many who will fear, many who will rebel, but it is only through technological enlightenment that we can offer you freedom from starvation, disease, and pain. You might achieve these things one-day without our intervention, but why condemn so many to suffer for so long? The longer you take to develop some of these key technologies, the more chance there is that another will plunder your race. Or that it will become devastated, or annihilated through natural disaster, such as has been demonstrated, and that as yet you cannot tame. We do not ask much for this intervention. But, as with everything, there is a price."
He paused as if for effect.
"Tyranny, torture, and killing must stop. A worldwide government and policing force must be formed immediately to put an end to these injustices. Your world is one world. Any person suffering anywhere is every one's responsibility. The most important thing is that you already know these things. But your politics and invisible boundaries do not allow the strong to help the weak, the healthy to heal the sick and the fed to feed the starving. This must change, and we promise to change it for you.
Your religion, the religion that we gave you, now hinders your advancement. It is time for revelation."
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c33 Resurrection
With a cry of "Blasphemer!" Mohammed pressed a button.
In the Tower energies gathered. Fifteen hundred feet above the ground a radio antenna array sprang to life. The instrument now did something it had never been designed to do, but within only a few hours, had been made to do.
ThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThump?The pounding increased in volume until it filled Geremy's head. He was sure his heart was going to explode. He burst through the door with the drive that only adrenaline could provide. Instantly the alarms sounded. With his focus only on the task of disarming the weapon that now threatened the future of humanity he rushed towards the unit that was now bathed in a purple haze. In a split second Geremy realized that his only hope was to try and cut the power supply. He lunged at the power cord, but was repelled as if he had run into some kind of force-field. He landed against a wall seven or so feet behind him. In a moment he had gathered his wits and began to scan the area for the circuit breakers. "Yes...There!" He moved, but it was as if his feet were held in molasses; as if his time had slowed down. The haze now glowed with a blinding brilliance. There was nothing now but to shield his eyes.
In a matter of milliseconds the energies had became exponentially stronger and fiercer, pressing to be unleashed. When the preordained level of charge had been reached, the wave began.
Visible only as a distortion in the cold night air, the wave of energy followed its planned path to its destination. The small condensing relay positioned within the roof of the 'Dome gave the beam its final lethal form and directed it to its intended target. Focused, channelled, and unbound, the force flew through the air like the arrow of God.
Sixty-two miles away from where Mohammed sat smugly smiling, lightning struck. The flash was blinding. The sound deafening. As the smoke cleared it was as if nothing had happened.
He paused to look at the smouldering hole that gaped at him with a blackened mouth from where He stood only seconds before.
He lifted his head and calmly surveyed the arena. So much fear. Fear of His retribution. Fear of the unknown. Fear of tomorrow.
"We expected this. In your fear there is the animal that remains within humanity. That animal is not noble. It is to be despised. And we know it will take many more millennia to leave that animal behind. But leave it behind, you will. That part of you will become extinct so that you may continue.
We have said we would create a united world for you. Rid your people of starvation and sickness, poverty and pain - we have said we would do these things for you, but we will not."
Hundreds of distraught, strained, frowning and frightened faces looked towards Him. No less moved Julia could only think 'Why? Why didn't you stop them Geremy? Didn't you even try?'
Sixty-two miles away, Samir held his head in his hands and rocked slowly from side to side. He had failed. He was miserable and wretched and a disgrace to God. But in his grief and self-pity he heard His words and they buoyed his spirit, for there was the falsehood, there was the deceit; there was the undoing of the Devil himself. For where was His forgiveness?
He spoke again.
"Some of you have plotted against us, against your own faith, and, against reason. Mankind still has a long, long way to travel. You have jeopardized your own future, but not ours, and we will not let you sway our assessment of those who are good, and those who have reason. Those of you who have acted against us are petty and shortsighted. And fortunately, the few.
When I tell you that we will not do the things for you that I have promised, it is because you will do them for yourselves.
Your leaders have already taken the first step. Again, I have only been a catalyst. The important thing is that you are all here. Together.
I gave you a focal point. A way to forget your petty differences. A way to remember your similarities. An excuse to care. I give you what you already had but did not realize. Unity. You are one people on one planet. It is time you moved forward?Together.
Remember, we will be watching your progress, and waiting.
We will return."
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2000.01.02 11:05:05 G.M.T. 6:05:05 E.S.T.
c34 The New Time
He stretched his arms wide and slowly dissolved into nothing, much as the meteor had done three days before, three days that could have been two thousand years for the changes that had happened since.
It was reported that at the moment he vanished a soft breeze touched those present. A warm, loving caress that left the audience closed eyed and smiling.
As they opened their eyes they beheld a new millennium - and a new world.
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