Intervention: A Science Fiction Adventure (29 page)

As the craft continued
across the country, Christopher and Cindy watched as the computer
displayed the local television images for them to observe. The
reaction of the media was exactly what they had counted on. By the
time they arrived at the White House, every man, woman, and child was
tuned in to watch what would be the final phase of their plan.
Christopher and Cindy were somewhat amused by what they saw and
couldn’t help but wonder what the thoughts of the average person
must be about now. Especially interesting would be the thoughts of
those behind Operation Down-size.

As the day progressed,
the story became more widespread. Soon people were no longer working,
but were glued to televisions anywhere one could be found. From the
high-rise office buildings to the corner gas station, everyone
watched as the course of history was changed. Would their lives ever
be the same after today, was the thought on so many people’s minds.
People’s reaction were often different, but anxiety was plentiful
everywhere. Many people fled to the sanctuary of the local church to
pray for divine intervention to protect them from their imagined
threat posed by the alien invaders. As the craft approached an area,
some people would go out into the streets, hoping to see the craft
firsthand to experience the awe and wonder for themselves. Others
just wanted to know it was for real and not a fabrication of the
media, or another War of the World’s scare. Those who were able to
catch a glimpse of the craft as it passed overhead were not
disappointed in what they saw. If they weren’t convinced of the
reality of the situation before seeing the craft, they certainly were
once having seen it for themselves.

About a hundred miles
or so from Washington, the craft began to gradually reduce its speed.
By the time it was fifty miles from Washington, the craft slowed to
only two hundred miles an hour, continuing to reduce speed. There was
no doubt that its course would take the craft directly to the White
House.

The President and his
people were nervously trying to prepare for the craft’s arrival.
Foolishly, they made sure they were wearing their best suits and were
as well groomed as possible—all the things that would not matter to
a higher race.

At a distance of about
two miles, the craft slowed to a mere twenty-five miles an hour. It
continued at this speed until almost to the White House. Then at only
ten miles an hour, the craft completed the journey until it was
directly over the White House lawn. The craft had ceased all forward
motion, slowly descending until it hovered about three feet above the
White House lawn. Every window in the White House was filled with
eyes open wide, watching, waiting. The craft hovered motionlessly for
nearly an hour, during which time every news crew within fifty miles
had set up camps around the White House, waiting to find out what
they would report that night. At first, the crews struggled for the
best vantage point, hoping for the best coverage. Then they waited,
and they waited. Some of the reporters were already sending for
coffee and doughnuts. They would wait as long as necessary. This was
more than a story—it was their future.

Inside the White House,
there was more tension in the air every minute as the President and
his staff waited. They weren’t sure what they were waiting for, but
they could do nothing but wait. After the initial shock had worn off,
most watched the craft’s image on the television, rather than
staying glued to a window. The President’s top advisor stood off to
the side of the oval office with the President at one of the windows.

“Mr. President, there
is little doubt that this is the same craft that turned our fighters
back yesterday. Hell, there couldn’t be two of them. What I’m
getting at is it seems likely, whoever they are, that they know about
Operation Down-size. Now there it is on the White House lawn. This
isn’t some campaign fund scandal. There’s no telling what they
might do or what they’re capable of.” The President was
speechless. An unusual state of mind for a politician, to say the
least.

Aboard the craft,
Christopher and Cindy were pleased to see their plan working out so
well. Their slow and deliberate approach to the White House had, as
planned, brought every available news crew to witness the upcoming
event for all the people of the world. It had been nearly an hour
since their arrival at the White House. The press was in full
attendance, and enough time had passed for the rest of the world to
be watching. It was time for the finale.

The computer began by
projecting a holographic image of one of its creators, making him
appear to materialize on the lawn just under the outer edge of the
craft. The holographic alien, once fully materialized, stood looking
around, and then fixed his gaze upon the White House itself. He then
stood motionless for a few moments. He slowly raised one arm up to a
horizontal position. At that moment the computer began shifting the
President. The transparent outline of the President went almost
unnoticed for an instant as it emerged from the wall of the White
House. Once it was about five feet from the holographic alien, the
computer shifted him back into this dimension, but left him suspended
about three feet above the ground. The holographic alien, in a voice
made up by Christopher, Cindy, and the computer to sound
authoritative and otherworldly, spoke.

“We are an advanced
scout craft for the Agosei. We came in peace, but found a
civilization about to be destroyed by its leaders. They have allowed
this planet to fall victim to the results of their corruption. When
they discovered the planet could no longer support such a large
population, they decided to eliminate most of the population in order
to save themselves. We could not allow this to happen. We find the
intentional destruction of life on such a scale unacceptable. We will
repair the damage to your ozone layer and seed your clouds with a
substance that will restore life to your depleted soils. We will
provide you with technologies to clean your air and water. Your
leaders will begin to make the decisions to stop polluting the air
and poisoning your waters and destroying your forests. We have
implanted your leaders, both civilian and military, with monitoring
devices to make sure these things are done and to make sure they
never repeat the errors of their greed. Take heed, Mr. President, we
will be watching.”

With that said, the
holographic alien dematerialized. A moment later the President was
released and dropped to the ground. The craft then slowly rose until
it was about two hundred feet above the ground. Then in a flash, it
displayed a burst of speed and acceleration that was nothing short of
breathtaking. Everyone watched as the craft disappeared into the sky,
and was gone from sight in a matter of seconds.

“I think that went
rather well,” Christopher joked.

“Yes, but far too much work. I
think we need a vacation,” Cindy replied. They both laughed and
gave each other a big hug and a kiss.

The
End.