James Cameron and Charles Eglee own Dark Angel. My use is in no way meant to challenge their copyrights. This piece is not intended for any profit on the part of the writer, nor is it meant to detract from the commercial viability of the aforementioned (or any other) copyright. Any similarity to any events or persons, either real or fictional, is unintended (and would really be sorta whacked, given some of the events and persons depicted herein).
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Author's Note: I want to thank Moonbeam for her assistance in beta reading this chapter. I have to admit that I'm very happy with the finished product, and I could never have gotten Ashton's speech written this well without her help.
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X – Introducing the Serpent to Save the GardenMax took a deep breath as she watched the television, hoping President Ashton's speech would go far more to plan than Senator McElroy's had. Rather than address the public from a secluded location, as McElroy had, Ashton was making his address in a press conference, all but guaranteeing that he would bravely (or stupidly – Max hadn't decided which one was more appropriate) face the third degree as soon as he announced that the transgenics were going free.
"I know it may seem trite, but I have always considered myself blessed that I was born an American," the president began with a smile, as comfortable addressing the nation as most men would be talking to their neighbors. Max couldn't help but smile herself, immediately feeling drawn in by the charismatic aura that was President Ashton's most defining characteristic. "From the mountains to the prairies, from sea to shining sea, America is a nation of individuals, a people who value freedom and equality, who respect their fellow man. Perhaps greatest of all, America has never hoarded its riches to itself. This great nation has a history of opening its doors to those from around the globe who are seeking a better life, a life based on freedom, equality, opportunity, and the basic premise that hard work reaps rich rewards.
"My fellow Americans, I feel that recent events have required me to reevaluate the situation that now exists in Seattle's quarantined zone known as Terminal City. As you are all doubtlessly aware, transgenics created in American cloning experiments now reside in that wasteland, sequestered from the rest of the nation by National Guardsmen. I now believe that it was fear, borne out of a lack of understanding, that led me and my fellow elected officials to take this action.
"Now that I am more familiar with the facts, it is possible to approach the issue of the transgenics calmly and rationally, avoiding uninformed decisions based solely on emotional, knee-jerk reactions. It is when we rush to judgment that mistakes are made, and I, like any other red-blooded American, am willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure that all those within our nation are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. It is for this reason that this night, here and now, I am announcing a shift in the government's stance on the transgenics."
"Not bad," Alec commented.
"Not bad at all," Cindy added.
"He's not done yet," Max reminded them. McElroy's speech started off well, too, she remembered. And that turned into a wonderful lesson on How To Be a Demagogue by the time it was done. Let's see where Ashton goes with this.
"Through the intercession of Senator Frederick McElroy, I have been able to work out a deal that is acceptable both to the United States government and to the transgenics," the president continued. "The first thing that we, as Americans, must all come to accept is the fact that the transgenics are not monsters. Many men and women, some of them educated individuals who should know better than to react emotionally in a situation like this, have been quick to cite the fact that the transgenics possess animal DNA, that as a result they are not human. They claim that because of this the transgenics cannot have sentience… or souls. Are we also to say that any human being born with a mutation that creates webbed fingers and feet – a mutation that is not altogether uncommon – is not human? Are we to start oppressing those that are born blind? Or deaf? Or mentally disabled? These people have genetic differences that make their DNA something other than normal, whatever it is that word means. On the East Coast, the past few years have seen thousands of infants born with any number of genetic mutations, the vast majority of them the result of radiation released during the Pulse. Should we pattern ourselves after Sparta and leave those imperfect babies on a hillside to be killed by the elements? Or should we demonstrate the enlightened compassion our nation has always been known for, and embrace people of all races, creeds, colors, and genetic differences?
"In my mind the answer to this question is clear. Even if our own government had not created the transgenics, even if our own government did not have a responsibility to care for them now, I believe that it is our moral obligation as Americans to embrace our fellow citizens. As Senator McElroy said in his earlier speech, the transgenics were born on American soil, to American surrogate mothers. That means that they are all citizens. Our nation, forever devoted to the ideal of equality, does not – and cannot – differentiate between transgenics and so-called 'ordinaries' any more than it now differentiates between blacks and whites; Native Americans, African-Americans, and European-Americans; devout and atheist; or rich and poor. I say again – we have a moral obligation. Could any of us look in the mirror if we ever intentionally turned our backs on our own people? I hope I never live to see the day when any of my countrymen even try to do such a thing." Ashton paused again, his well-practiced delivery making it appear that he was speaking off of the top of his head rather than reading from a teleprompter. Finally, he went on slowly, solemnly.
"The transgenics made the first move in our negotiations, an unexpected gesture of goodwill. They know that they were created to oppose America's enemies; and a great number are willing to accept that role, and that responsibility. Over half of the besieged transgenics have agreed that, should the siege be lifted, they will enlist in this nation's armed forces. They are not being coerced, they are not being bribed – this was their first offer, their greatest desire. These men and women, who far too often have been referred to as freaks, have volunteered to risk their own lives and well being to defend the rest of us. It was this offer, more than anything else, which made me ashamed for the actions I've taken, for the thoughts that have crossed my mind. I know in my heart that no monster would risk his own life to defend mine. Indeed, such a noble willingness to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and to take arms against this nation's sea of troubles is one of the very hallmarks of our culture.
"It is in a time of unprecedented need that the transgenics now come to us. In his speech not long ago, Senator McElroy first revealed the existence of the Familiars, and it did not take our government's intelligence agencies long to verify McElroy's shocking information. The facts about the Familiars speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions, and I'm sure that they well understand the implications not only to the life and safety of our own nation, but to the very existence of the species. As commander in chief of this great nation's armed forces, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
"My hope is that all nations will heed our call and join us in defending our people from the Familiars, the unseen enemy that clearly has an agenda of its own, an agenda without regard for race, creed, color, sex, or nationality. I have already told you that the transgenics have agreed to join us in this struggle; and with confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our people, both ordinary and transgenic – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.
"We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by old and young, soldier and civilian, ordinary and transgenic alike. We now focus our attention on regaining a secure and bountiful national life, and assuring that the benefits we gain for ourselves will endure to be enjoyed by our posterity." Ashton stopped again and looked into the camera, a warm, confident, assuring, grandfatherly smile spreading across his face, allowing him to say more with his expression than he'd managed with his words. All of a sudden, in her heart, Max was struck with the certainty that everything would work out fine. "Thank you, my fellow Americans," Ashton finally said, bringing his address to a close. He turned his attention to the reporters arrayed before him, but Max turned off the television. She'd seen and heard all she needed.
"It's all gonna work out," she said in amazement. She could see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel; now, more than anything else, she wanted to get out into the real world, to lead her people in achieving Ashton's dream of ensuring peace and safety for humanity while rebuilding her homeland into the global power it had once been.
"You might be right," Alec commented with obvious hesitation. Max knew her sibling still had serious reservations about trusting a government that had already betrayed them several times. ("Just ask the Native Americans how trustworthy the U.S. government is," he'd suggested just that morning. "If you can find any, that is.")
"But…" Max prompted, knowing Alec hadn't intentionally left something unsaid.
"But we're taking a huge chance by trusting him," Alec pointed out. "Once this war is over, they might decide we're more trouble than we're worth. And let's not overlook the fact that just because we're free to leave Terminal City, and just because we aren't going to get arrested for some of the stuff we've already done, that doesn't mean Joe Blow on the streets will necessarily pass up an opportunity to string up a lone transgenic. We're still in danger, Max."
"I know," she admitted, "but I think we can handle it now. There might be violence, but it'll only be perpetrated by isolated individuals or small groups now. It won't be like the mobs we were facing before we came in here. Didn't you hear the way Ashton was talking about us? He made us sound like heroes, Alec. I've never been ashamed of what I am, but listening to that speech made me . . . I don't know . . . proud, I guess. I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about us like that."
"Me either."
"We just have to have faith," she told him.
"It'll work out," Cindy put in. "You'll see."
"I hope so," Alec grumbled, seeming less than completely convinced but unwilling to protest any further.
I hope so, too, Max thought. Because if anything goes wrong, it'll be my fault. I can only hope that I didn't just kill us all.
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Not far away, secluded in the Elliott Grand Hyatt in the heart of what remained of Seattle's once-buzzing commercial and financial district, Senator Frederick McElroy leaned back and grinned as he watched Ashton's duel of words with the press. "He's doing well," he commented absently, moving to refill his glass with Johnny Walker Blue Label. "Would you care for some?" he offered his guest.
"I don't drink," Set answered, his eyes fixed on the television screen, watching the president's every gesture and subconscious, physical reaction to the press' questions.
"I don't know if I can trust a man that doesn't drink," McElroy jested with a conspiratorial wink. Set ignored the opportunity to partake in lighthearted banter, however. "So," McElroy said hesitantly, "it seems like everything is coming together for your people." Again there was no response from the transgenic, and McElroy began to seem unsettled. "I thought you would be happy about this."
"Why?" Set asked, turning on the politician with an inquisitive stare.
"Because your people are free now," McElroy responded. "You can go anywhere now, do anything you want."
"I've already been doing that," Set commented. "This is only a minor step."
"A minor step toward what?" McElroy asked nervously. "I've told you I don't care for those kinds of comments. It makes some of my staff a little uneasy."
"None of your staff is here," Set pointed out. "You're the only one I could be making nervous right now. Am I upsetting you in some way?"
"Umm…. no," McElroy said in a thoroughly unconvincing tone. "It's just . . . well, some of my people feel you have an agenda of your own . . . something you're not telling us."
"We all have our secrets," Set commented enigmatically as he turned back to the television.
"That's not particularly reassuring."
"What would you have me say?" Set asked, seeming irritated that McElroy was distracting him from Ashton's closing comments. "Shall we talk about the weather? Would you prefer we go down to the hotel restaurant for a large meal and a few stiff drinks? I may be a co-conspirator of yours, but don't forget that I'm not a fellow politician. I do things differently, Senator."
"Of course," McElroy muttered hastily.
"And rest assured that despite my admitted lack of social graces, I am certainly in your service," Set said with an obvious, practiced smoothness that belied his stated lack of refinement.
"I don't doubt it," McElroy answered, his uncertainty vanishing in an instant as he once again displayed the confident, calculating demeanor he was known for. "You have too much riding on our success."
"So do you," Set reminded McElroy. "And as long as we remember the plan – and our loyalties – we should both get exactly what we want."
To be continued………………………………