In times of war any good news is heroic news, and soon the how and whys of Rheas actions were forgotten as word of what she had achieved spread, and as it did the Alliances propaganda arm embellished the truth.
The more she heard the more Rhea was uncomfortable: she had seen others before whose fame and adulation had crumbled at a change in the flow of political opinion, and she knew that if; or once, her fraud was discovered the praise would turn to anger. She tried to dismiss what she had done as pure luck, but the Alliances propaganda arm of the authority dismissed that as modesty. Rhea became a hero.
Rhea’s work at the facility was put on hold and she was awarded the Alliance Star of Bravery: it was at the award ceremony that she met Director Ellis.
“Congratulations professor; it seems that at this moment you are the most famous person on the planet?”
“Thank you Director; it is something I am having trouble coming to terms with.”
“Yes, living with fame is often harder than those who seek it realize, and even harder once it is no longer theirs.”
Rhea wasn’t sure if there was more to Elli’s comment. “I keep reminding myself that everything we do is for the good of all citizens Director, and not just for the glorification of one?”
“Quite so professor, and many who have glorified in it have discovered that fame is fleeting, and is gone as soon as it has come, but for the moment it is your turn; enjoy it: while it lasts.”
Rhea could feel it departing with every word Ellis spoke, and the deep probing look he was giving her didn’t make her feel any better.
“Aside from your obvious courage in battle I wonder if you can be asked to give more to the Alliance?’
Rhea had no idea what more she could give. “I am always ready to serve the Alliance Director.”
“As we all are professor… I believe you have had a key hand in research on the probe that was brought here?”
“The probe?” She had been so overwhelmed by shooting down the cruiser she had forgotten her work. “Oh… only with and examination of the metals Director. I am working on a ceramic meld that will be… that I hope will be invaluable to…”
“You know where it came from?” he interrupted her.
“Came… No… well only the rumour,” she began to smile as if it was all a joke, but Ellis wasn’t smiling: her smile faded, “They say it is from Earth…” he still wasn’t smiling. “But Earth is a myth?”
“Is it professor… then where is the probe from?”
“Director I have no idea; there are many who are more qualified to answer that than I?”
“Indeed there are professor, and they do not believe in myths.”
“Earth is real?”
“At some time in the past it was.”
Rheas mind was spinning; she had always believed there was a possibility; after all myths have to start somewhere, but everyone knew it couldn’t be how it had been told. “Director this is something that will change everything I have believed in; at this moment I cannot comprehend how much?”
“All of us professor; and maybe not just for the better: it could end the war.”
“End the war?” she gasped. “How… then we must?”
“An expedition professor. We must contact the arcs… before the diverging.”
“The arcs?” Things were coming faster than she could think.
“We must be the first to contact them and ensure their loyalty is only to the Alliance.”
“But the diverging…”
“Will not happen.”
“But it is an essential part of the myth.”
“And myth it will stay. The arcs will join the Alliance.”
“But that will…” All the paradoxes she had been told must never happen flooded her mind. “What if… what if they wont?”
“They will when they meet our battle fleet.”
Rhea felt her world was ending; it was Armageddon. She took a deep breath.
“Everything we do is for the final victory of the Alliance professor, is that not right?”
It was a direct challenge to her loyalty; if she wavered her fame would not save her. “Whatever is our duty to the Alliance we will do Director.”
“Then professor you will be part of the advance party to convince the arcs to join with us.”
“Me?” her mind was almost numb to shock now.
“You have the ideal cover, and you can impress them with the advanced technologies of your field.”
For a moment she wanted to say that it was her who had been impressed, but she just smiled.
Other novels and stories by John Stevenson can be found by visiting
www.caelin-day.com
www.Australianstoryteller.com
www.Australianstorywriter.com
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