CHAPTER 6
"We Visitors are proud of these ceremonies since they allow us to repay the wonderful hospitality the people of Earth have shown us ever since we arrived here. You've all done everything you can to help us collect the resources we need to save the people of our planet. It seems only fair that we reciprocate."
Diana allowed herself a small smile as she watched the playback of the footage. She had ensconced herself in an office adjacent to the lobby of the Los Angeles Medical Center. On the desk in front of her was an array of monitors, each one marked with a number corresponding to a camera in the lobby, where she watched the proceedings in the lobby from many different angles.
John was at the podium, which was set up at the landing of the stairway up to the second level of the hospital. The landing jutted out and above the lobby itself, obliging people on the ground floor to look up at whoever was at the podium.
Some of the cameras panned around showing the crowd of well-dressed humans applauding with gusto as John spread his arms out in a gesture of magnanimous gratitude. Beyond the cameras' range, Visitor weapons were drawn and pointed right at the audience.
This is, quite literally, a captive audience, Diana thought to herself.
After a moment she spoke into her communicator. "We'll use this take, switching between cameras 3, 5, and 6." She glanced at her checklist. "Prepare Mrs. Dupres for the closing comments; this is the last segment we need."
As she watched her underlings prepare Eleanor Dupres for her turn in front of the cameras, Diana suppressed the flash of anger surging in her, which manifested itself in an urge to spit venom. Her lower back and shoulders, still stiff and aching as they did last night, and the soreness of her eyes testified to her fatigue, but she wouldn't surrender to it.
There is still just so much more work to do.
She allowed herself to drift back to the previous evening's disaster, specifically the moment when Kristine Walsh, her handpicked spokesperson, decided to tell her global audience that the Visitors were a hostile alien race bent on conquest. Walsh's declaration, coming mere moments after the local rebels unmasked John on live television, dealt her people's campaign to subjugate the people of Earth and steal much of the planet's natural resources a painful blow.
A potentially lethal blow, even.
The memory of her shooting Kristine on live television gave Diana no satisfaction.
If anything, it tightened the grip of tension squeezing her very being.
Your betrayal cost you your life, Kristine, Diana thought. The irony is, your death might be interpreted as heroic martyrdom. I will not allow it to ruin the Leader's plans and lead to the extinction of my kind.
Her communicator chimed, returning Diana to the present moment. "Mrs. Dupres is ready," said the voice on the other end.
"Very well," Diana replied. "Let's do a rehearsal take of the first two paragraphs, cameras 1 and 2." The feed from the designated cameras came up on two of her monitors. "Ready – action!"
She leaned forward in her chair, watching as the elder human woman – Michael Donovan's mother, no less! – delivered her prepared lines with feigned sincerity.
Impressive.
Diana had a small smile when Eleanor was done. "One more rehearsal take," she said. "The same parts of the script, the same cameras."
She watched Eleanor rehearse the script again; the second take was even more credible.
Perhaps I overestimated your value, Kristine.
"Tell Mrs. Dupres she did a great job on both rehearsal takes," Diana said. "Let's do a live take now."
Diana found herself relaxing a little as she watched and listened to Eleanor Dupres recite from the script Diana herself prepared:
"What you have just seen was the real broadcast given by John, the Visitors' Supreme Commander. It is a special service that we give to you, loyal viewers and friends of the Visitors."
Perfect inflection.
"As you know, the broadcast that many of you at home saw last night was a deception perpetrated by members of the underground scientists' conspiracy. Aside from spreading ridiculous anti-Visitor propaganda, which reasonable people should automatically dismiss as fiction, the most unfortunate development from last night's events was the murder of Kristine Walsh, the Visitors' Official Spokesperson, on live television."
Impressive control over her facial expressions.
"I'm told now that the authorities have confirmed that Michael Donovan, the former newsman, was one of the leaders of this terrorist cabal which captured, coerced, and then executed Miss Walsh."
She exudes sincerity, even as she tells such a fundamental lie.
I don't think Kristine could have ever done this, who, despite being easy to manipulate, was always a slave to truth.
"Not only did these terrorists murder her in cold blood, but they also tried to destroy our innocence and our faith in our Visitor friends. They forced Kristine to lie about our friends, then killed her using captured Visitor weapons in an attempt to frame them.
"However, we all must resolve to believe the truth in all matters. Only through this spirit will this terrorist conspiracy be unraveled.
"With your help, it will cease to exist as a threat.
"And so, as we end this message to you, I want to speak for all the peace-loving people in the world, with whom I share gratitude that the Visitors have given to us far more than they could have asked from us. I'm Eleanor Dupres, from the Los Angeles Medical Center."
Diana's fingers tapped a short message on her communicator, then settled back into her chair. "I want three more live takes; tell Mrs. Dupres to tone down the emotional tenor slightly in paragraphs three, four and five."
As she watched Eleanor repeat her performance a few more times, Diana entered more information into her communications device, detailing the best parts of Eleanor's takes. Her crew could then splice the takes together as she designated.
After Eleanor's fifth run-through, Diana activated her communicator again. "I think we have enough. Tell the Supreme Commander and the Chief of Security I'll be joining them now, after which I'll come to you with final instructions."
Diana walked out of the office and joined John and Steven, who were standing off to one side in the lobby, suitably out of earshot from any of the humans that filled the room.
"So much effort," John said. "I understand the importance of all this work, but it annoys me that we even need to do it."
Diana was about to retort when she noticed Eleanor walking over to them, a smile on her face. Diana looked at both men, and she saw that they understood that now was not the moment to voice any of their misgivings about the current situation. She then positioned herself in between the two of them.
"How was that?" Eleanor beamed.
"Perfect," said Diana with a smile, even as she thought the look on the elder woman's face was precisely what a child hungry for approval would have.
"As long as you're pleased," Eleanor said with a coy shrug.
"We're very pleased," said John, his face oozing benevolence and appreciation.
Diana noticed Eleanor's smile waver a little. "I have to ask," the older woman began to say, "do you really think this… new broadcast – "
"Would have the intended effect?" Diana interrupted gently. "Absolutely."
"What makes you so sure?"
Diana looked at both John and Steven first, then said, "Our understanding of human psychology and history strongly suggests your people would rather believe in something pleasant and comfortable." She watched the older woman process what she'd just told her, then smiled. "Your assistance at this trying time has been invaluable."
"Well," said Eleanor, who looked at the three Visitor leaders in turn. "I'm glad to have contributed whatever meager talents I have to the cause."
"Don't be so modest," Steven said. "As Diana says, your help has been invaluable."
"I'm glad," Eleanor replied.
Steven smiled at her, then reached for both of Eleanor's hands. "I'm sure the past few hours have been challenging for you and for your husband. Diana, will we be needing Mrs. Dupres for anything else?"
"No," Diana said, smiling. "I think we have everything we need from you. Again, thank you very much for your assistance."
"Well, if that will be all," said Eleanor. "It would be good to go home and rest. But, please, if you need me for anything else –"
"We'll make sure Steven lets you know," Diana said.
"So, I'll see you later?" Eleanor said to Steven.
"You sure will."
"Bye."
Diana watched Eleanor walk away, then signaled John and Steven to follow her back into the privacy of the office she was in a few minutes ago. Once they were inside she shut the door, then smiled at Steven. "You're very accessible."
"When it's useful."
"You made us very accessible last night," Diana said.
Fool. You didn't even see that trap waiting for you.
"If Diana hadn't covered up your bungling of the affair with this bit of instant movie-making, our credibility would be all but destroyed," John said.
"The rebel vermin will be exterminated before nightfall," Steven said, a hint of anger in his voice. "We now have the information that we've needed, intelligence confirmed by multiple sources. We are preparing to launch a major attack on their headquarters. They'll be a memory within hours."
Diana looked at John, who then said to Steven, "This had better not be another wild boast. Last night was a total disaster. And I'm not just talking about what happened to me."
"How do you explain that false report of the entirety of the rebel force being brought to the Mother Ship?" Diana asked.
"Indeed!" John said. "That detail from last night's events is most distressing. When Diana told me about it this morning, I couldn't help but question your fitness for executing your duties as the Chief of Security in this sector."
"If nothing else, the larger implications of that specific incident leaves me – and perhaps John as well – indescribably distressed."
Steven hesitated, scowling at Diana. "I – I have nothing to say about that at this time except that my division is investigating. I don't disagree that last night was an unmitigated catastrophe, and that I bear some responsibility for it. But by no means do I deserve all the blame –"
"Enough," said John. "We will talk later of consequences. Presently we must focus on recovering from last night's failures. You have a mandate and the resources to wipe out the local rebellion. Now, do your job."
Diana didn't bother to hide a small smile as Steven gave John a small bow of the head, then turned to leave the office.
John then turned to her. "So what are we to do next?"
"I have people working on editing and assembling the footage we've been taking for the last few hours; as soon as the material is put together, I will examine everything, make any changes as necessary, then approve it for global broadcast."
"How long will all this take?"
"The work should be completed within the hour."
"Good," said John.
He then looked at Diana, concern on his face. "You look tired."
"We are at war, John. As such, sacrifices must often be made. I feel like I cannot rest until we have done enough to somehow reverse the damage last night's disaster created."
"You've been working too hard. You must get your rest."
"I will. And yet, after I do take that rest, there is more work to be done."
John's face creased with comprehension. "The leader of the local rebellion, that… woman."
"Yes."
"I don't see the point," John said. "Why not just destroy her? If Steven's plan to eliminate the rebels works – "
Diana laughed without amusement, interrupting him. "As you say. 'If.'"
John responded with his own short laugh. "Your lack of confidence in your fellow officer of the line is obvious."
"After what happened last night, can you blame me? Or question my logic?"
"I suppose not," John conceded.
"I'm sure you are not underestimating the potential damage last night's catastrophe represents to our mission. It is nothing less than a possibly mortal blow, something I – we – cannot allow."
"I agree," John said. "But I don't quite see what purpose keeping the rebel prisoner alive serves."
"With all due respect, John, I find your position baffling. Surely you understand why to simply kill her now is not the wisest course of action?" Diana crossed her arms before continuing. "She is insurance against the possibility of the rebels somehow surviving Steven's attempts to exterminate them. Regardless, even if we manage to destroy the rebellion, one must not discard any potential asset until we exhaust its usefulness to us." She softened her tone. "I know how angry you are over what happened last night, but we mustn't allow anger to overrule reason and logic."
"Perhaps you are correct. You often are. It is why I value your opinion so highly." He changed the subject. "I suppose you'll be returning to the Mother Ship after your people have finished their work on the broadcast?"
"As a matter of fact, John, I was planning to leave as soon as possible. I can examine and critique their work on the Mother Ship. As urgent as this project is, I am keen to continue my preparations on a couple of others." Diana gave John a small smile. "What about you? Now that your work here is done, will you be staying in Los Angeles, or will you be returning to New York City?"
"I leave for New York within the hour, then will travel to Washington, D.C. tomorrow morning."
"I see."
"Well," John said, "I don't want to keep you from your work."
"Nor I you from yours."
"I expect full reports on Steven's actions against the local rebels, as well as on your own progress with your projects."
"Of course."
"Good." John smiled at Diana. "Well, then, I feel comfortable about taking my leave, knowing you are in charge here."
Diana smiled back at him. "Thank you, John." She followed him towards the door. "Shall we?" she asked as she opened it for him.
"We shall speak again soon," said John.
"Safe travels, John."